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The Power of Memory in Jewish Fiction with Richard Zimler and Amy E. Schwartz—in celebration of the Moment-Karma Short Fiction Contest

Thursday, May 8 at 1:30pm, ET / 10:30am, PT

Memory has long been a cornerstone of Jewish life, shaping ritual, custom, and identity across generations. In contemporary Jewish fiction, memory—both individual and collective—emerges as a powerful lens through which writers engage with history, trauma, and the legacy of the past. Join Richard Zimler, acclaimed author of the bestselling book The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon and Moment Opinon & Books Editor Amy E. Schwartz for a compelling conversation on how memory informs Jewish storytelling today. Together, they’ll explore the creative possibilities and emotional responsibilities that come with writing through memory, and the ways it can both illuminate and weigh on the literary imagination.

This special literary event also celebrates the three winners of the 2024 Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest. The winners’ stories will be published throughout the year.

First-place: “What to Say” by Ilana Marcus

Second-place: “The Artist” by Chavah Chernobelskiy

Third-place: “The Villa on Targova” by Basia Winograd

Honorable Mention was also awarded to “This is How the World Ends” by Marla Braverman and “The Hotel” by Nicole Hazan.

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The Importance of Jewish Literature for Children and those who are Young at Heart with Richard Michelson and Amy E. Schwartz—in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month

Thursday, May 22 at 12:00pm, ET / 9:00am, PT

Award-winning author and poet Richard Michelson has written many lyrical children’s books that capture the enchanting byways of American Jewish culture. From Martin Luther King, Jr and Abraham Joshua Heschel to baseball player Lipman Pike and actress Sydney Taylor, Michelson uses books to teach children about Jewish values like social justice, giving charity, developing interfaith relationships, fighting discrimination and antisemitism, and more. Join Michelson, author of the new book More Than Enough: Inspired by Maimonides’s Golden Ladder of Giving and Moment Opinion & Books Editor Amy E. Schwartz for a conversation about the importance of Jewish literature and how to capture the best of American Jewish tradition for young children. In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month.

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The Quest for Significance: How the Drive for Meaning Shapes Conflict and Identity with Arie W. Kruglanski and Dan Raviv

Thursday, May 29 at 4:30pm, ET / 1:30pm, PT

What drives human behavior at its core? For many, it’s the deep-seated need to live a life of purpose, to be seen, respected, and valued. But what happens when that need is denied? In their provocative new book, The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need That Makes the World Go Round, Distinguished Professor of Psychology Arie W. Kruglanski and journalist Dan Raviv explore how the pursuit of significance can lead to both personal fulfillment and global unrest. Join Kruglanski and Raviv as they delve into the psychological forces behind some of today’s most pressing conflicts. From the Jewish people’s restoration of dignity through the founding of the State of Israel after the Holocaust, to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war and the Palestinian demand for recognition and respect, the authors examine whether these struggles reflect a zero-sum battle for significance. They also explore how this same dynamic is shaping political movements and polarization in the United States. This timely conversation sheds light on the powerful motivations that influence identity, justice, and the course of history.

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