Writing Between Two Homelands: Fiction at the Crossroads of Israel and America with Joan Leegent and Maya Arad—in celebration of Moment’s Karma Short Fiction contest winners

Tuesday, April 28 at 1pm, ET / 10am, PT

For decades, American Jewish writers have grappled with Israel as both an idea and a place, using fiction to examine identity, belonging, politics and faith. At the same time, a newer and strikingly different trend has emerged: Israeli authors writing fiction about life in the United States. The result is a rich and expanding body of literature that reflects the evolving relationship between two Jewish centers—and the personal stories that unfold between them. Moment-Karma Short Fiction Contest judge Joan Leegant, author of Displaced Persons, and a two-time contest winner, and Israeli author Maya Arad, explore the complexities of living between cultures. Leegant and Arad will discuss how fiction captures the tensions, misunderstandings and moments of connection that arise when American and Israeli worlds meet. In conversation with Moment editor Sarah Breger.

This special literary event also celebrates the winners of the 2025 Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest. The winners’ stories will be published throughout the year.

First-place: “Niagara Falls” by Miryam Sivan 

Second-place: “A Hot October Day” by Harris Kauffman