Amarillo Public Library selected for Stories of Exile discussions
The Amarillo Public Library (APL) has been named one of only 30 libraries across the nation to be selected to participate in the Stories of Exile project created by the Yiddish Book Center. The project was created to generate a discussion amongst individuals who may have experienced similar circumstances or feelings as refugees.
According to APL, Stories of Exile Reading Groups for Public Libraries encourages teens and adults to think about experiences of displacement, migration, and diaspora. Using Yiddish literature as a portal, the program features works in translation to explore narratives that grapple with questions of homelands, journeys, identity, and belonging. Amarillo reading group participants will compare three works written in Yiddish in the early and mid-20th century to stories in English by contemporary writers.
"People are still refugees, and there are people who need the understanding of how different it is to be be a refugee than an immigrant, because an immigrant is going to a country or location with intent," said APL's Program Specialist, Cynthia Hunt. "Being a refugee is leaving a place that was your home and trying to find another place in the world. There is a big difference between the two, and this is something that I think a lot of people in our area can resonate with and help to learn more about with this discussion series."
"I think it is important that we keep our minds open and that we read literature from different cultures and ethnicities from different parts of the world and seeing what they have to say and understanding their perspective," Hunt added. "Overall, just being exposed is most important. I think that people from the past sharing their stories can better help us understand ourselves and apply what we learn to the contemporary situations that we find ourselves in today."
Hunt, who wrote APL's successful application for Stories of Exile, will also lead the book discussion groups, as well as the virtual discussion group offering CE credit to Region 16 educators.
Director of Library Services Amanda Barrera calls APL’s selection another example of the library staff’s excellent work and the library’s value to the community. “Stories of Exile was a highly competitive process, and the Yiddish Book Center considered a lot of factors in choosing libraries to participate. APL’s selection is a reflection of the great work of all our staff across all five libraries,” she said.
As part of the award, APL received multiple copies of four books to accommodate all members of the book club, as well as access to downloadable discussion guides and programming resources. All four titles are available for checkout through the Amarillo Public Library. Stories of Exile will take place from September to December, with the book discussion group meeting on selected Thursdays at the Downtown Library. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and discussions will begin at 6 p.m. of the following titles:
Sept. 14: "On the Landing: Stories by Yenta Mash," translated by Ellen Cassedy
Oct. 19: "In the Land of the Postscript: The Complete Short Stories of Chava Rosenfarb," translated by Goldie Morgentaler
Nov. 16: "The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives," edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Dec. 14: "The Glatstein Chronicles" by Jacob Glatstein, edited by Ruth Wisse, translated by Maier Deshell and Norbert Guterman
According to Hunt, the first three books were predetermined within the program, but APL chose the fourth book, "The Glatstein Chronicles" by Jacob Glatstein, based on the author's childhood memories of escaping anti-Semitism in Europe during World War II and coming to America. Hunt states that some readers may find personal similarities in seeking refuge in America as Glatstein does, and APL chose the beginning chronicle for its overall similarities to the previous discussion pieces.
Hunt said that all of these books have been translated from their original language to English specifically for this discussion series. The program director says that for anyone who may be wary of the books' lengths, they each comprise a short story or essays, and she encourages community members to not shy away thinking these pieces are difficult reads.
"I encourage everyone who can to come and do this," Hunt said. "I think the book discussion groups are going to be really good. The writing of these pieces is excellent, and the stories really stay with you. I think the discussions will be delightful, with meaningful, deep discussions, allowing these small groups to have intimate conversations about what these books made them think about, reflect on, and allow people to share about these pieces and themselves."
APL also received support from the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) for Stories of Exile supporting programs. These events will also take place this autumn at the Downtown Library with doors opening at 5:15 p.m. and programs beginning at 5:45 p.m.:
Sept. 21: The Quiet Menace: Antisemitism and the Cost of Silence presented by WTAMU History Instructor Courtney Crowley
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Genocide Unmasked: Naming the Crimes, Seeing the Faces presented by Dr. J.E. Wolfson, State Coordinator of Education for the THGAAC
Thursday, Nov. 9: The Refugees of Amarillo, presented by Crystal Pennington of The Refugee Language Project
December (Date & Time TBD): A Bridge of Books Screening, provided by — and with a virtual field trip to — The Yiddish Book Center
These books must be read before attending the discussions; books can be checked out at the library. Discussions are free and open to the public. For more information, visit APL online at https://www.amarillolibrary.org/ .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo library to host monthly reading groups on Stories of Exile
