Perhaps the real value for any potential student isn't in the curriculum but in the audience. If you're an aspiring writer who does want to write about Jewish themes, you may well receive more helpful feedback in a class or workshop with other Jews, even if those other Jews aren't themselves writing about Judaism in anyway.
I think that’s a solid point. If the focus of any MFA is networking - what better place to network as a Jewish Writer than at a Jewish institution- regardless of the specific curriculum.
I have not yet! But he is on my to read list. The only context I have for him as a Jewish writer is some discussion of him in the book “Who Wants to be a Jewish Writer” by Adam Kirsch which quotes Roth as having once said “The epithet ‘American Jewish writer’ has no meaning for me. If I’m not an American, I’m nothing.” He is one example that comes to mind how there is a distinction between writing while Jewish – and being a Jewish writer. It may be a distinction of semantics based on self identification – but I still want to respect it. Regardless I do understand that his works are an important part of the conversation about what it means to be an American Jew and I am planning on reading them at some point. Do you have any recommendations on where I start?
Interesting – I didn't know that! Thanks for the clarification about him wanting to be known as an American writer. He certainly is up there as one of the best American writers, in my opinion.
The Human Stain, The Ghost Writer, and American Pastoral are my three favorite of his that deal heavily with what it means to be Jewish in America.
I’m not against MFAs, but I tend to think the primary benefit of one is networking, and that’s an incredibly expensive way to get one’s book published.
However, I’m happy to see this particular program as it has the potential to benefit Jewish writers and expand the Jewish literary world. It’s also not just about students, but the job opportunities now available to Jewish writers, and the many opportunities that will be offered for Jewish writers to share their work in readings and workshops. I would hope entire ecosystem of Jewish writers can be created with this program and I find that an exciting idea.
I think that is valid- but I want to be clear - we already have a Jewish literary ecosystem. There are Jewish book awards every year. The Jewish Book Council has been working to support Jewish authors and writers through the increased antisemitism all year. There are also already Jewish small indie presses and Jewish literary magazines. Sure - there isn’t much money in it yet. But this is writing- there never is much money in it. And having more writers in debt won’t help that much.
While having a center to build more infrastructure around does have benefits- it has the potential to create new gatekeeping in which the only “real Jewish writers” are the ones who went to JTS. JTS is associated with Conservative Judaism- not all Jewish writers have the same affiliation. Associating the Jewish writing community with one branch of Jews has potential to be quite problematic.
JTS is joining an already existing Jewish Literary Space. And it may be a worthwhile addition. I am looking forward to the “Jewish Writing Festival” they claim they want to host from now on. But the presumption that they are creating anything new is part of my problem.
We need ways to network and connect as a community without requiring tuition. The fact is that JTS has been looking to add new degree programs for years in order to boost numbers and income because less and less people are interested in rabbinical school. If they cared about the jewish literary scene - they would have spoken up more about literary antisemitism over the past year and a half. This is just them taking advantage of a moment - and it may be for the greater good in the long run. It may be an amazing program. But I think it’s a mistake to let it be the center and definition of the Jewish Literary Space.
You bring up some good points and certainly ones that I hadn’t considered, although as someone who is creating a Jewish poetry community I definitely believe it can be done without a lot of money and an MFA, but what you’re commenting on about it being a conservative school is something I had not considered and it’s a bit concerning.
As I said in a previous comment- I am not concerned personally. I would actually argue it’s a good thing for the diversity of the Jewish writing community. But I saw multiple Jewish writers being overly effusive about the program when it was announced - and I suspected at least some of them were not affiliated with Conservative Judaism. I wanted to point it out as one of many ways that people were just so excited to see an MFA that they were ignoring other basic considerations.
I am not concerned re the affiliation at this time. The program hasn’t started yet and there is no way to know how things will shape out. I have no reason to think it truly will be a problem. I am simply pointing out that it is something to be mindful of.
Other affiliations already have ways to support writers and artists. Reconstructing Judaism has their website with classes. Orthodox Judaism has their own small presses that focus on Orthodox work. I just wanted to give an example of why I think people can be excited but still cautious and mindful.
For a people who pride themselves on asking questions and debating- I didn’t see much actual debate or critique about the program - only Jewish writers excited that someone was doing something. And that excitement is valid. That’s why I waited a week to say this. I just thought someone should say it.
Perhaps the real value for any potential student isn't in the curriculum but in the audience. If you're an aspiring writer who does want to write about Jewish themes, you may well receive more helpful feedback in a class or workshop with other Jews, even if those other Jews aren't themselves writing about Judaism in anyway.
I think that’s a solid point. If the focus of any MFA is networking - what better place to network as a Jewish Writer than at a Jewish institution- regardless of the specific curriculum.
Interesting article - have you read Philip Roth? He's one of my favorite Jewish authors.
I have not yet! But he is on my to read list. The only context I have for him as a Jewish writer is some discussion of him in the book “Who Wants to be a Jewish Writer” by Adam Kirsch which quotes Roth as having once said “The epithet ‘American Jewish writer’ has no meaning for me. If I’m not an American, I’m nothing.” He is one example that comes to mind how there is a distinction between writing while Jewish – and being a Jewish writer. It may be a distinction of semantics based on self identification – but I still want to respect it. Regardless I do understand that his works are an important part of the conversation about what it means to be an American Jew and I am planning on reading them at some point. Do you have any recommendations on where I start?
Interesting – I didn't know that! Thanks for the clarification about him wanting to be known as an American writer. He certainly is up there as one of the best American writers, in my opinion.
The Human Stain, The Ghost Writer, and American Pastoral are my three favorite of his that deal heavily with what it means to be Jewish in America.
I’m not against MFAs, but I tend to think the primary benefit of one is networking, and that’s an incredibly expensive way to get one’s book published.
However, I’m happy to see this particular program as it has the potential to benefit Jewish writers and expand the Jewish literary world. It’s also not just about students, but the job opportunities now available to Jewish writers, and the many opportunities that will be offered for Jewish writers to share their work in readings and workshops. I would hope entire ecosystem of Jewish writers can be created with this program and I find that an exciting idea.
I think that is valid- but I want to be clear - we already have a Jewish literary ecosystem. There are Jewish book awards every year. The Jewish Book Council has been working to support Jewish authors and writers through the increased antisemitism all year. There are also already Jewish small indie presses and Jewish literary magazines. Sure - there isn’t much money in it yet. But this is writing- there never is much money in it. And having more writers in debt won’t help that much.
While having a center to build more infrastructure around does have benefits- it has the potential to create new gatekeeping in which the only “real Jewish writers” are the ones who went to JTS. JTS is associated with Conservative Judaism- not all Jewish writers have the same affiliation. Associating the Jewish writing community with one branch of Jews has potential to be quite problematic.
JTS is joining an already existing Jewish Literary Space. And it may be a worthwhile addition. I am looking forward to the “Jewish Writing Festival” they claim they want to host from now on. But the presumption that they are creating anything new is part of my problem.
We need ways to network and connect as a community without requiring tuition. The fact is that JTS has been looking to add new degree programs for years in order to boost numbers and income because less and less people are interested in rabbinical school. If they cared about the jewish literary scene - they would have spoken up more about literary antisemitism over the past year and a half. This is just them taking advantage of a moment - and it may be for the greater good in the long run. It may be an amazing program. But I think it’s a mistake to let it be the center and definition of the Jewish Literary Space.
You bring up some good points and certainly ones that I hadn’t considered, although as someone who is creating a Jewish poetry community I definitely believe it can be done without a lot of money and an MFA, but what you’re commenting on about it being a conservative school is something I had not considered and it’s a bit concerning.
Why is it concerning that it's affiliated with the Conservative movement?
As I said in a previous comment- I am not concerned personally. I would actually argue it’s a good thing for the diversity of the Jewish writing community. But I saw multiple Jewish writers being overly effusive about the program when it was announced - and I suspected at least some of them were not affiliated with Conservative Judaism. I wanted to point it out as one of many ways that people were just so excited to see an MFA that they were ignoring other basic considerations.
Yes, I'm interested in why @Tree Smith Benedikt finds it concerning.
Ah- apologies. My bad. I didn’t pay attention to what was replying to what. Lol.
I am not concerned re the affiliation at this time. The program hasn’t started yet and there is no way to know how things will shape out. I have no reason to think it truly will be a problem. I am simply pointing out that it is something to be mindful of.
Other affiliations already have ways to support writers and artists. Reconstructing Judaism has their website with classes. Orthodox Judaism has their own small presses that focus on Orthodox work. I just wanted to give an example of why I think people can be excited but still cautious and mindful.
For a people who pride themselves on asking questions and debating- I didn’t see much actual debate or critique about the program - only Jewish writers excited that someone was doing something. And that excitement is valid. That’s why I waited a week to say this. I just thought someone should say it.