JL;DR

Memory plays a vital role in Jewish storytelling, serving as both a bridge to the past and a tool for grappling with historical trauma. Authors Richard Zimler, known for 'The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon,' and Amy E. Schwartz discuss this theme within the context of contemporary Jewish fiction during an event celebrating the winners of the 2024 Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest. They explore how memory informs narratives, carrying both the weight of historical legacy and potential for creative expression. Stories like Ilana Marcus's first-place entry "What to Say," Chavah Chernobelskiy's "The Artist," and Basia Winograd's "The Villa on Targova" exemplify how individual and collective memories are woven into fiction, illuminating the multifaceted Jewish experience.