October Mini Course:

The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud

Winner of the 1959 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction, this collection of thirteen stories examines the struggles of Jewish Americans to find a way forward (morally, existentially, personally) in Malamud's postwar New York City - a world of rain-slicked streets, aging tenement buildings and struggling small businesses - with interludes in Italy. This mini course is an excellent introduction to adult-level mid-century fiction and to literary short stories. Writing workshop focus: urban settings, folkloric voice, fables.

➜ Join us for a month-long deep dive into Malamud's masterful short stories, and mid-century American Jewish life. 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, October 4 - Wednesday, October 28.

Tuition: $45

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

Admissions Guidelines: This course is open to students 12+ who understand themselves to be Jewish. Reading level: students who can read contemporary grade 9/10 level novels can succeed in this course.

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

Course Texts: All students need a copy of The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud.

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.