New Vilna Review Weekly Roundup, June 11, 2010
This week we’ve added some great new poetry to the New Vilna Review website by Sue Swartz and Erika Dreifus, as well as a new editorial I have written about the important environmental conservation work being done in Israel by groups like the Jewish National Fund and Society for Protection of Nature in Israel. Happily, this past week was not nearly as tumultuous as the last few have been in terms of Israel and events in the Middle East.
Perhaps the most notable event in terms of Israel and the Palestinians, was the visit by President Abbas to the White House where he met with President Obama and received a promise from the American president that the United States would be increasing aid by $70 million (for a total of $400 million) to the Palestinian people. As I wrote here on jewishboston yesterday, I am all for an increase in humanitarian aid for people who need it, but I am very leery of any deal that involves trusting Hamas, and I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way.
Earlier in the week I was at a CJP event for educators, where Jewish Agency for Israel chair Natan Sharansky delivered a lack-luster speech, but it was inspiring to meet some of the incredible Jewish educators who are working with Jews of all ages and backgrounds in the Boston area. It was clear that for the two women who were honored, as well as the many people in the audience with whom I spoke, that they represent a group of professionals who are dedicated to infusing the lives of their students with a love for Jewish culture, history and ritual.
Well, I think that about does it for this week. Next week I am off to California to teach a Jewish creative writing workshop at the Brandeis Collegiate Institute, so my posts may be slightly less frequent in the coming weeks, but the New Vilna Review site will continue to be updated. As always, we are accepting submissions, so if you’re feeling inspired be sure to check out our submission guidelines.
Have a great weekend and Shabbat Shalom,
- Daniel E. Levenson
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
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