November Mini Course:

Selections from Gimpel the Fool and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Singer's first book translated into English (by Saul Bellow), and his first short story collection for adults, Gimpel is a brilliant introduction to Singer's supernatural shtetl-world: where fools are saints, demons walk among the living, and every tale oscillates between sly humor and cosmic dread. A true masterclass in Yiddish storytelling and Jewish magical realism, written in Yiddish in New York during the final years of WWII. This mini course is an excellent introduction to Singer's work, to the wise fool and schlemiel archetypes in Yiddish stories, and to Yiddishkeit in diaspora literature.

Writing workshop focus: magical realism, the wise fool, and the shtetl.

➜ Join us for a month-long deep dive into Singer's magical short stories. Discuss what you're reading with other teens from across the English-speaking Jewish world, and work together on weekly collaborative writing exercises based on the stories. Complete four short, structured writing assignments that help you develop your creative writing skills, and choose your favorite to publish in our literary magazine.

Course dates: Sunday, November 1 - Wednesday, November 25.

Tuition: $45

Class size: 25 students max. Sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Admissions Guidelines: This course is open to students 14+ who understand themselves to be Jewish. Reading level: grade 11/12.

Instructors: Darren and Suzanne Alexander. Read about our qualifications and experience here.

Course Texts: All students need a copy of Gimpel the Fool and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Course Requirements: Students will need to log-on to our course forum on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays (time of day is up to you). All course discussion is text-based (no Zoom calls). Total weekly time commitment: 3-4 hours/week.