Polish-American Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 -1972)
It is interesting that the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is being celebrated today at the same time that we are holding 100,000 Poets for Change (100TPC) around the world. Last night I couldn’t help but think of Rabbi Herschel. I tend to connect well and deeply with those who practice their religions with respect for the mystical. Without mysticism religion is just dry cracker, something without much Life or Light.
Rabbi Hershel lost his family to bombings, Nazis, and the camps. During the war, he lived for awhile in Frankfurt. He was arrested by the Gestapo and sent back to Poland. In the melting pot that was 1950s Brooklyn, we had neighbors from Poland, people who had lost everything but their generosity of spirit. Some were Catholic and some were Jewish.
There was one family I particularly loved. I encountered Rabbi Herschel on their bookshelves when I sat with the children. The wife, a beautiful frail creature whose “shell shock” was clear to me even in my early teens, was none-the-less a good mother, wife and friend. The husband, a cantor and devoted family man, let me read whatever I found in English in their house. What was remarkable to me was that he was also willing to take the time to talk to me about what I read. He encouraged me to speak my mind. With him, I never had to arm myself as the pretty dolt.
“If [a woman or man] were able to survey at a glance all he has done in the course of his life, what would he feel? He would be terrified at the extent of his own power.” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Apropro this discssion, I was surprised (I shouldn’t have been) and charmed when I found Michael Dickel’s introduction to The BeZine 100TPC 2017 event wrapped around Yom Kippur. Here’s the introduction (below) … and when you are done reading perhaps you’ll pop over to The BeZine blog and share a poem and/or read those of others. You’d be very welcome.
– Jamie Dedes
American-Israeli Poet, Michael Dickel
This year, the last Saturday of September, the regular day for the Global 100,000 Poets for Change Events around the world, falls on Yom Kippur, considered the Holiest day of the Jewish religion. Observant Jews around the world are fasting, having spent the Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur asking the people in their lives for forgiveness and inventorying their transgressions against Creation. Today, we Jews go to synagogue and ask Creation (G-d) for forgiveness. Another name for Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.
First, the order matters: We ask the people in our lives for forgiveness. Then we think how we have acted against the World. Then and only then do we turn to G-d for forgiveness.
Second, saying sorry is not enough, in our tradition. It is a start. In the Jewish tradition, people must also act differently, that is, they must enact the apology with a change in how they are in the world.
Third, human purpose can be understood—in how I have been taught—as working toward Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam is the repair or healing of Creation. While there is definitely a range of interpretations that could be made on what this healing entails, it certainly incorporates attention to the physical world as well as the spiritual. These two intertwine and interrelate in such a way as to be inseparable. Social Justice, Environmental Sustainability, and Peace—and writing, the arts, music in service of activism for positive change—are very relevant issues to our human purpose, from this view.
And thus, on the Holiest Day of the Jewish Year, it is appropriate to work toward Tikkun Olam, asking G-d’s forgiveness for all we have done that harms our fellow humans, inventorying our own role, and moving forward with action that shows our genuine desire to change and make things right again.
And, further, as the spiritual and the physical are interrelated, so are all of the arts (literature, art, music, dance, stage, film…), so are all three of the themes: Social Justice, Environmental Sustainability, and Peace.
So this year, on Yom Kippur, we ask you to join in with your contributions from any of the arts—share your efforts toward healing and repair of our World. As you do, remember this, paraphrased from the sages:
Do not despair at the iniquity and injustice of the world in which we live. For today, that is, in this period where injustice, racism, and greed seem to have risen to power, do not give up or give in.
It is not up to us to complete the work of Tikkun Olam, but this does not free us from working toward the healing and repair of Creation. That is, although we may not achieve our goals of a just, sustainable and peaceful world in our lifetime, we must continue to make progress, and in working toward them, the healing of Creation will occur, one poem, one essay, one novel, one painting, one sculpture, one song, one symphony, one performance at at a time…
By action, not words alone, will this be done. If ever there was a time when this action is more needed than others, certainly now is one—Resistance! Activism! Peace! Sustainability! Social Justice!
“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a [woman or] man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ~ Robert F. Kennedy South Africa, 1966
Today under the banner of 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change (100TPC) people the world over are gathered to stand up and stand together for PEACE, SUSTAINABILITY and SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Below is a sampling of the posters announcing these gatherings.They give you a small idea of how far-reaching this annual global event is and for which we have 100TPC cofounders Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion to thank.
Think on this when you are tempted to lose all hope for our species. Remember that – not just today, but everyday – there are ripples and waves and tsunamis of faith and courage crossing borders in the form of poetry, stories, art, music, friendships and other acts of heroism. Hang tough. And do join The Bardo Group Beguines today at The BeZine blog to share your creative work and to enjoy the work of others. All are welcome no matter where in the world you live.
Love, Jamie
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Well, the Zine’s virtual “live” 100TPC Master of Ceremonies, Michael Dickel (Meta/ Phor(e) /Play), is doing the event from the Midwestern U.S. this year, not Israel, and I’m here in Northern California as back-up.
We have just a few hours to go before we begin The BeZine 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change, 2017 (100TPC), our biggest event of The BeZine year. Do join us and bring your reading glasses and your work suggestive of peace, sustainability and social justice. Michael will get us started and I’ll be on hand to help put a wrap on things. We’ll run at least 24 hours to make it convenient for you to participate no matter where in the world you live.
You may have missed some of these posts that will clarify what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and how you can participate. Here are two posts that you’ll find helpful:
BAOBAB PRESS, Where good books are grown has an open call for submissions for an anthology of short fiction, This Side of the Divide, in which they plan to feature emerging and established authors exploring the Western United States. Length: 3,000 – 5,000 words. Payment if your story is selected for the anthology: $100 and a copy of the anthology. Deadline: October 31, 2017.Details HERE. This anthology is through a partnership of Baobab Press and University of Nevada, Reno MFA Program in Creative Writing.
Baobab Press also seeks submissions of creative non-fiction manuscripts (125 – 400 pages); novel manuscripts (125 – 400 pages); poetry manuscripts (40 – 100 pages); comics (50 – 100 pages); and short story collections (125-250 pages). Details HERE.
THE ILLANOT REVIEW is still open for submissions to be consider for its next issue. Graphics, poetry, fiction to 4,000 words, flash fiction and creative nonfiction. Deadline September 30. Details HERE.
BAD PONY, a lit mag,an online publication, is open for submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and art. They read on a rolling basis. A fledgling publication, they are reading now for their first and second edition. Submission guidelines HERE.
WORLD ENOUGH WRITERS is open for submissions for its Coffee Poems Anthology to be edited by Lorraine Healy. $5 submission fee for two or more poems. Deadline: February 28, 2018. Details HERE.
THE BIG MUDDY, A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley publishes two-times a year and invites submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, photography and art. Details and submissions HERE.
SMOKELONG QUARTERLY, an online literary magazine devoted to flash fiction accepts work up to 1,000 words. Guidelines HERE.
SMOKELONG FRIDGE-FLASH FOR CHILDREN under twelve years. Stories, art or a combination thereof. Must be submitted by parent with permission to publish. Details HERE.
NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN OF COLOR COUNCIL, INC. (NGWCC) calls for submissions for an anthology. Deadline: December 31, 2017. Personal stories, poems, essays and other short stories. Details HERE.
THE BeZINE submissions for the October 2017 issue – themed Music – are open and the deadline is October 10th. Send submissions to me [Jamie] at bardogroup@gmail.com. Publication is October 15th. Poetry, essays, fiction and creative nonfiction, art and photography, music (videos or essays), and whatever lends itself to online presentation is welcome for consideration. No demographic restrictions and submissions of work relative to your country and its history and culture are welcome. The more diverse the representation, the better. English only or accompanied by translation into English. Please check out a few issues first and the Intro/Mission Statement and Submission Guidelines. We do not publish anything that promotes hate or violence. The lead for the October issue is Sheffield poet and musician, John Anstie (My Poetry Library and 42).
Heads-up on the November zine: The theme is Hunger, Poverty and Working-class Slavery. Deadline: November 10.
Note: I will consider previously published work as long as you hold the copyright. / Jamie Dedes
PALAMEDES PUBLISHING has an open call for creative essay for its Finding Light in Unexpected Place (2018), An Anthology of Surprises. Deadline December 1st.Details HERE.
CRANNÓG MAGAZINE has an open call for submissions for its upcoming issue. There’s a November deadline for the February 2018 issue. This magazine publishes poetry under 50 lines, stories up to 2,000 words. “Writers selected to appear in Crannóg will receive: a contributor’s copy and €50 per story, €30 per poem; an invitation to attend/read at the launch of Crannóg at The Crane Bar, Galway, Ireland; three contributors will be nominated for the Forward Prize for best single poem; and six contributors will be nominated for a Pushcart Prize, (poetry and fiction).” Details HERE.
CONTESTS
WILDA HEARNE FLASH FICTION CONTEST 2017 is accepting submissions through October 1st. $15 reading fee. Cash award: $500. Publication in Big Muddy. Details HERE.
MIGHTY RIVER SHORT STORY CONTEST 2017 is accepting submissions through October 1st. Reading fee: $20. Cash award: $1,000. Publication in Big Muddy. Details HERE.
FELLOWSHIP
SMOKELONG QUARTERLY “is accepting submissions for its 2018 Kathy Fish Fellowship for new and emerging writers. The fellowship honors Kathy Fish, a former editor here at SmokeLong, a fantastic writer herself, and a continuing champion of new and emerging writers.
“The winner of the 2018 Kathy Fish Fellowship will be considered a “writer in residence” at SmokeLong (note: position is virtual) for four quarterly issues (March, June, September, and December 2018). Each issue will include one flash by the Fellowship winner.” $5 suggested donation. Details HERE.
EVENTS
The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, online and all are invited to take part no matter the stage of career (emerging or established) or status (amateur or professional) Poems related to the challenge of the week will be published here on the following Tuesday.
Cheltenham Poetry Festival 2018 ~ The theme is power. ‘ A poetry party with a healthy dose of anarchy’ – the Guardian. Details HERE.
Poets on Craft, Remica Bingham-Risher, Tuesday, September 16 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm EDT at The New School, Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, 55 West 13th Street, New York, 10011 Admission free. Kid Friendly.
New Orleans Poetry Festival and Small Press Fair April 19, 7 pm CDT “will feature three days and nights of poetry readings and performances, panel discussions, fiction events, a small press fair with books for sale and display, musical acts, slam events, walking tours, open mic at the famous Maple Leaf Bar, and much more…” Details HERE.
Reading Philip Whalen, a belated celebration of his birthday, Monday, October 23 rom 7 pm to 8 pm PST at Moe’s Books, 2475 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Paul Madonna: Close Enough for Angels, Wednesday, October from 7 pm – 8 pm PST, Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley CA 84704
Workshop with Diana Goetsch, Saturday, October 21 from 10 am to 4 pm PST, Marin Poetry Center, San Rafael, CA 94901. $100/125/150 sliding scale. Details on this and other Marin Poetry Center events HERE.
CALLING ALL POETS, WRITERS, MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS: We need your most passionate work. The Bezine 100,000 Poets (and other artists and friends) for Change virtual “live”event will run from 12:01 am September 30 to midnight and perhaps longer on The BeZine blog. Details HERE.
Sheffield in Harmony hosted by Hallmark of Harmony (Poet John Anstie’s group), October 7, 2017, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Firth Court. Firth Hall. Sheffield University. “Hallmark of Harmony’s annual production will showcase the considerable barbershop singing talent of our great city. We are proud to share the stage with Sheffield Harmony, who are among the leading female barbershop choruses in the UK. Moreover, this stellar lineup will be complemented by no less than UK champions and World Silver Medallist Mixed quartet, Hannah and the Hurricanes! This is going to be a phenomenal show.” Tickets HERE.
POETRY RESISTANCE WALL
100,000 Poets for Change (100TPC) founders, Michael Rothenberg and Terri Carrion, have “built” a Resistance Poetry Wall in response to calls from all over the world for a place to post poetry and art in reaction to January’s election here in the U.S.
You do not have to limit your poetry to the situation in the States. You can share work that is relative to your country or your specific concerns. As Michael and Terri state:
“The poetry and art posted on the WALL are not limited to the USA elections. There are many issues that concern us all and we welcome your contribution to this page.”
These efforts do have their place and power. So far 190 people have shared work on The Poetry Resistance Wall. I hope to see you there too. / Jamie
YOUR SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS may be emailed to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Please do so at least a week in advance.
If you would like me to consider reviewing your book, chapbook, magazine or film, here are some general guidelines:
nothing that foments hate or misunderstanding
nothing violent or encouraging of violence
English only, though Spanish is okay if accompanied by translation
though your book or other product doesn’t have to be available through Amazon for review here, it should be easy for readers to find through your site or other venues.
DISCLAIMER
Often information is just that – information – and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications featured in Sunday Announcements or elsewhere on this site. Awards and contests are often a means to generate income and publicity for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I am homebound due to disability and no longer attend events. Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
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Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 