Tales of the kibbutzim


 

Ithaca native Jeffrey F. Barken ’08 has published his first book: “This Year in Jerusalem” (Banjo Press) is a collection of 11 short stories based on his experiences living on a kibbutz in southern Israel in 2009-10.

“The collection charts the divergent paths taken by two best friends who suffer a falling-out over a girl. All of the short stories connect, leaving readers with the impression that they have read a short novel,” says Barken, who after earning an MFA in creative writing at the University of Baltimore, moved to Israel, where he is conducting a book tour, he frequently reports on Israel news topics and Jewish-interest literature.

Illustrated with Indian ink and acrylic illustrations by an Irish artist, Diana Muller, the book includes tales about the two childhood friends who have betrayed each other; about Kassam rockets flying; a young man sneaking across the Israeli border, determined to visit his family after many years in exile; a doctor quietly awaiting his mother's death in her Florida condo; and in the title story, eccentric characters come together from all corners of the world for a Thanksgiving feast.

- Susan S. Lang