On The Way

On The Way

This story, authored by newspaper columnist Yente Serdatsky, was first published in the Yiddish daily “Forverts” on July 3, 1921.  The following translation, by Dalia Wolfson, was made possible with support from the Yiddish Book Center. Summertime my...
The Clementine of Enlightenment

The Clementine of Enlightenment

      “Take it,” the stranger says, stretching the clementine wedge toward me. I smell the promise of sweet citrus and a hint of myrrh. My mouth waters, but I resist. I hear Nina’s voice echoing in my mind: Did she wash the skin before she peeled it? Are her hands...
The End of the World at Weko Beach

The End of the World at Weko Beach

Before the asteroid hits, we pack up the car. Swimsuits and sun hats, coloring books, a fully stocked diaper bag, though the toddler is almost potty trained—another week or two and she would’ve had it. The pills you stole from the med room at work, just in case. Trail...
Almost Amsterdam

Almost Amsterdam

Photo by Karin Hedetniemi Lately, I’ve been feeling a strong pull, a soul desire. This morning, I lace up the hiking shoes I’ve only ever worn locally, retracing the streets of my neighbourhood in looping solitude. But I set out in a new direction. After...
The Golden Jester

The Golden Jester

I knew it inside out – the baroque castle Schönbrunn with its waving angels on the roof, and the castle gardens with their straight paths and sharply cut hedges. I knew the crunching sound made when the little pebbles rubbed against my shoes when I walked towards the...
long way to the ground

long way to the ground

Something about a competitive man, or woman, let’s just call it a person because there are all sorts of them these days and there always have been, they’ve just been hidden more or less, but anyway, something about this kind of person makes you feel pressed for time,...