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Jewish Montreal

Its mid-century literary legacy

Location

Montreal, Quebec

Dates

Sunday, September 14–Friday, September 19 (5 nights)

Works

Mordecai Richler, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and selected poetry of Leonard Cohen, Irving Layton and A.M. Klein

Program Description

When Mordecai Richler died, there was a tremendous and perhaps unexpected outpouring of affection for him given his ambivalent relationship with Montreal's Jewish community, English Canadian nationalists and Canadian separatists, and his reputation as a contrarian provocateur. And yet Richler is memorialized as one of the most respected literary figures in Canada and one of the first internationally renowned Canadian writers. His breakthrough novel, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, explores the rise of an ambitious young Jewish man determined to be successful in the 1930s and 40s.

The Montreal Jewish community produced a great number of writers in the mid-20th century. In addition to Richler, the writings of Leonard Cohen, poet, novelist and singer-songwriter, and poets, Irvin Layton and A. M. Klein are steeped in Jewish themes. Their unique and personal literary expressions of Jewish identity often leave the observer considering where fiction ends and autobiography begins.

We will visit the new Jewish community, home to the Jewish Public Library, a unique institution whose collections and archives serve to preserve the history of Canada's Jewish community and provide access to Jewish texts, history and literature. Founded in 1914, the library's active program of cultural events has served to encourage and showcase local Jewish writers.

With this personal and uniquely Jewish method of expression, the observer is always left considering where fiction ends and autobiography begins.

Stan Asher will guide us through the St. Urbain and The Main neighbourhood, one of North America's first Jewish enclaves, immortalized in Richler's novels.

Discussion Leaders

Historian and retired professor Stan Asher has been leading groups around the Old Jewish area of Montreal as a labour of love for many years. He carries with him a well-read copy of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, by the late Mordecai Richler and reads out loud excerpts that evoke the places we visit.

Accommodation

TBD

Fees

$2,450 Cdn
$300 Cdn – single supplement

Fees include

  • readings
  • accommodation
  • discussions
  • guided walks
  • informal talks
  • two meals each day
  • excursions
  • admissions

 

 

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