Literature

Sami Rohr Prize 2026 shortlist highlights family survival and Jewish history

The annual award — which alternates each year between works of fiction and nonfiction and which honors emerging Jewish writers — is considered one of the most prominent awards in Jewish literature.

The four finalists for the 2026 Sami Rohr Prize are, from left, Shaul Kelner, Amir Tibon, Jordan Salama and Laura Hobson Faure.
Reading a torah scroll

'The Sacrificial Service': Leviticus has been mistranslated for centuries - review

Rabbi Danny Tropper, founder of Gesher.

'Agents of Change': American Jews and the transformation of Israeli Judaism - review

Title page of first edition of the Zohar, Mantua, 1558. (Photos: Wikimedia Commons)

'The Wisdom of Truth': Reaching the attic with a ladder to the Zohar - review


'Making sense of God' through Norman Solomon's new book - review

Solomon’s aim is not to indoctrinate or convert but rather to provoke thought and stimulate discussion.

 A man stands under the starry sky (Illustrative)

'After Camus: A Novel': The ghost of Camus haunts an American couple

An interesting, though bizarre book, and a nod to the writings of Camus about the survival or death of love and friendship.

 GRAVESTONE OF Albert Camus, a philosopher of the absurd

The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: the Talmud and feminine dichotomy

'The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic' discusses the six women in the Talmud who are cited by name, and matches them with six paradigms of the female.

 THE AUTHOR references ‘madwoman in the attic’ from Charlotte Brontë’s Gothic-style classic ‘Jane Eyre,’ connecting her to Talmudic stories about women.

Bestselling author John Irving makes appearance at the Jerusalem Writers Festival

The author, who appeared on Zoom because he had just caught a case of COVID, had planned to attend the festival in person – and promised his interviewer to come to Israel when his health permitted.

 JOHN IRVING (on screen) is interviewed by Ari Folman this week at the Jerusalem Writers Festival at Mishkenot Sha’ananim.

Jessica Cohen: Go-to English translator of contemporary Israeli literature

In addition to being bilingual, “she has a super sensitive ear for the texts she translates, and she strives to find the right English words and the right register for each book."

 Jessica Cohen has translated more than 30 books and dozens of shorter works by some of the most renowned Israeli writers.

John Irving to attend the Jerusalem International Writers Festival

‘I was pro-Israel in 1981, and I’m not less pro-Israel now,’ says acclaimed novelist.

 John Irving

Acclaimed Jewish-American novelist Paul Auster dies at 77

Auster’s work straddles the divide between the middlebrow and the highbrow.

 US author Paul Auster poses for a photograph before an interview in Stockholm May 10, 2011.

Oren Kessler awarded Sami Rohr Prize for 'Palestine 1936,' receives $100,000

Oren Kessler was praised for his analysis of the Middle East conflict. George Rohr highlights authors' contributions to Jewish literature. Debra Goldberg extends congratulations.

 Oren Kessler

Eretz Israel Museum celebrates Israel’s agricultural and cultural heritage

The exhibition breathes life into Shalev’s evocative portrayals of life in the rustic hamlets of Emek Izrael (Jezreel Valley), echoing the heartbeat of generations past.

 Meir Shalev

Literature celebrates nuance. So why does the book world feel so one-sided on Israel?

Erika Dreifus recounts their longstanding observation of anti-Israel sentiments within literary circles, specifically addressing recent controversies at the NBCC award ceremony and following dilemma

 A LOOK at some of the comics and science fiction books being sold by Arye Dobuler in jerusalem.