About the Great Jewish Books Club

Join the Yiddish Book Center’s Great Jewish Books Club, now entering its eighth year! Delve into Yiddish literature in translation and other key works of modern Jewish literature. 

To enrich your reading journey, we’ll provide resources such as thought-provoking questions, supplementary materials, and background information on the authors, translators, and editors.  

Each book is accompanied by a virtual public program and opportunities for small-group discussions. We also host a Facebook group dedicated to discussing the book club. You can join that private group here.  

Best of all, the book club is completely free and open to all! If you’re already part of our Yiddish Book Center community, you’ll automatically receive Great Jewish Book Club updates, program details, and reading guides. If not, and you’d like to join us, sign up today.  

In the coming months, we’ll explore six compelling books together. Our current selection is Desires (White Goat Press) by Celia Dropkin, translated by Anita Norich. Before beginning Desires explore an in-depth reading resource guide, created by senior staff writer at the Center, Ezra Glinter. 

Join us on Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a book talk with translator Anita Norich. Anita will discuss Desires with Lisa Newman, the Yiddish Book Center’s director of publishing and public programs and the director of White Goat Press, the Yiddish Book Center’s imprint.

Following their conversation there will be a Q&A and a book signing. This event is presented at the Yiddish Book Center and streamed live via Zoom. No registration is needed to attend this event in person at the Yiddish Book Center; registration is required for the virtual event.

Want more Great Jewish Books for your book club or personal enjoyment? Check out our past selections and reading guides: 

• Blessed Hands: Stories, by Frume Halpern, translated by Yermiyahu Ahron Taub

• Writings on Yiddish and Yiddishkayt: The War Years, 1939–1945, edited and translated by David Stromberg (White Goat Press, 2023)

• Have I Got a Story for You: More Than a Century of Fiction from The Forward, edited by Ezra Glinter  

• The Glatstein Chronicles by Jacob Glatstein, edited by Ruth Wisse, translated by Maier Deshell and Norbert Guterman (White Goat Press, January 2023)  

• Girl with Two Landscapes: The Wartime Diary of Lena Jedwab, 1941–1945, translated by Solon Beinfeld  

• The Forgotten Singer: The Exiled Sister of I. J. and Isaac Bashevis Singer by Maurice Carr (White Goat Press, July 2023) 

Have questions about the Great Jewish Books Club? Email us at [email protected].