Jewish Lives
banner
jewishlives.bsky.social
Jewish Lives
@jewishlives.bsky.social
Biographies that illuminate the Jewish experience. A partnership of
Yale University Press and the Leon D. Black Foundation.
NEW! Join us on the latest episode of the Jewish Lives Podcast with Anthony Gottlieb, author of the new biography "Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy in the Age of Airplanes," as we explore the life of one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century.

Listen now at jewishlives.org/podcast
November 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
"It is rare to find a book that you can open at random and almost always find something that piques your interest."

www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘Ludwig Wittgenstein’ Review: An Attack on the Abstract
Wittgenstein argued that words have meaning “only in the stream of life.” Philosophical problems arise when “language goes on holiday.”
www.wsj.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:25 PM
✨NEW GIVEAWAY!✨Enter for a chance to win The Origins of Israel Collection, a stunning 8-book set valued at $250.
Enter here: www.jewishlives.org/contest
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
"With the October publication of “Philip Roth: Stung by Life,” part of the Yale Jewish Lives series, ...Steven J. Zipperstein has given the literary world an insightful, full-throttled portrait of a man who alienated as many readers and critics as he enthralled."

jweekly.com/2025/11/11/n...
BOOKS | Philip Roth had more on his mind than sex
Yes, Philip Roth liked sex. A lot. But at the end of the day, nothing mattered more to the iconic author than books, a new biography says.
jweekly.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Next week! Join Park Avenue Synagogue for a conversation with Jane Eisner, author of "Carole King: She Made the Earth Move"

pasyn.org/events/2025-...
Carole King: She Made the Earth Move
pasyn.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hey Boston! Join Lehrhaus Tavern this Sunday for a special event with Steven J. Zipperstein as he discusses his new biography of Philip Roth

www.lehr.haus/classes/phil...
Philip Roth: Stung by Life — Author Steven Zipperstein in Conversation with Abe Socher, Editor of the Jewish Review of Books — Lehrhaus - A Tavern & House of Learning
Join Steven Zipperstein and Abe Socher, Editor of the Jewish Review of Books, to discuss Zipperstein's new biography of Philip Roth.
www.lehr.haus
October 31, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Introducing Mini Sets. Small sets. Big ideas.

Curated to spark conversation and deepen understanding, these beautifully designed mini sets are perfect for gifting and collecting.

Available now only at jewishlives.org/minis
October 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
NEW! Join us on the latest episode of The Jewish Lives Podcast with Steven J. Zipperstein, author of the groundbreaking biography "Philip Roth: Stung by Life," as we explore Roth’s remarkable life and the astonishing range of his self-reflective writings.

Listen now at jewishlives.org/podcast
October 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
“An admiring, thorough, and swift account of an immensely single-minded writer’s unabating struggles with ambition, romance, and the politics of his time." - @forward.com

forward.com/culture/book...
How Philip Roth invented a myth called 'Philip Roth'
In 'Philip Roth: Stung by Life," biographer Steven J. Zipperstein reveals the truth behind the rebellious character the author created.
forward.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
"The book offers readers an admiring but eagle-eyed telling of how [Carole King] emerged from...Brooklyn to achieve decades of songwriting success while straddling the genres of rhythm and+ blues, pop and folk-rock." -@washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Review | ‘Carole King’ tells the story of a songwriting giant
Jane Eisner’s admiring, observant biography covers the singer’s early life in Brooklyn, her hit songs and albums, and her four marriages.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Carole King didn’t just make music, she made history.

Discover her story on the latest episode of The Jewish Lives Podcast with Jane Eisner, author of the new biography "Carole King: She Made the Earth Move."

Listen now at jewishlives.org/podcast
October 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"In his new biography, 'Philip Roth: Stung by Life,' Steven J. Zipperstein is fully aware of what it takes to measure Roth against the tales of himself he told in his novels."

jewishreviewofbooks.com/literature/1...
Awe and Shmutz - Jewish Review of Books
The greatest challenge for a Philip Roth biographer is that Roth was there first.
jewishreviewofbooks.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Join @92ndstreety.bsky.social for a discussion with Jewish historian Steven J. Zipperstein and novelist Joshua Cohen as they explore the life and towering ambition of Philip Roth — and Zipperstein’s new landmark biography, "Philip Roth: Stung By Life."

www.92ny.org/event/steven...
September 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
NYC Book Launch @mcnallyjackson.bsky.social: Anthony Gottlieb presents "Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy in the Age of Airplanes," in conversation with Ian Buruma

www.mcnallyjackson.com/anthony-gott...
www.mcnallyjackson.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"In her new biography of Carole King, Jane Eisner imagines the singer-songwriter’s life in four movements...[Eisner] uncovers how King met a moment of increased opportunity for Jews and women to leave their mark on the culture."

forward.com/culture/musi...
How Carole King moved the earth
Author Jane Eisner discusses singer-songwriter Carole King's influence on music, and how it tells a Jewish American story.
forward.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Join Jewish historian Steven J. Zipperstein and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Joshua Cohen as they explore the life and towering ambition of Philip Roth — and Zipperstein’s new landmark biography, "Philip Roth: Stung By Life"
www.92ny.org/event/steven...
www.92ny.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"A highly entertaining tale of two men who were pivotal in the movie business..." -@lareviewofbooks.bsky.social

lareviewofbooks.org/article/gold...
Golden Age Titans | Los Angeles Review of Books
Michele Willens talks with film critic Kenneth Turan about Hollywood Golden Age moguls Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg.
lareviewofbooks.org
July 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
WATCH NOW: Ruth Franklin, author of THE MANY LIVES OF ANNE FRANK, explores the transformation of Anne Frank from ordinary teenager to icon and how she has been understood and misunderstood, as a person and as an idea.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu65...
Reading Jewish Lives: The Many Lives of Anne Franke
YouTube video by Park Avenue Synagogue
www.youtube.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Next week: Join Park Avenue Synagogue and author Ruth Franklin for a free virtual conversation about the transformation of Anne Frank from ordinary teenager to icon.

Register now:
jewishlives.org/events/2025/...
The Many Lives of Anne Frank — Jewish Lives
The Many Lives of Anne Frank   Tue / Apr 8 / 7:00 pm Park Avenue Synagogue / 87th St and Online Ruth Franklin and Rabbi Zuckerman  Explore the transformation of Anne Frank from ordinary te...
jewishlives.org
March 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
NEW! Join us on the latest episode of The Jewish Lives Podcast with Anthony Julius, author of "Abraham: The First Jew," as we explore the origins of a fundamental struggle within Judaism between skepticism and faith.

Listen now at www.jewishlives.org/podcast
March 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Biblioracle: "The Many Lives of Anne Frank" is a revelatory new book - @chicagotribune.com

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/08/b...
Biblioracle: New book on Anne Frank considers both the person and the cultural pawn she’s become
Ruth Franklin’s latest book is one that should be read and discussed for generations.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
JUST ANNOUNCED! Join Park Avenue Synagogue for a discussion with Ruth Franklin on April 8 as we explore the transformation of Anne Frank from ordinary teenager to icon. Register now at jewishlives.org/events/2025/...
The Many Lives of Anne Frank — Jewish Lives
The Many Lives of Anne Frank   Tue / Apr 8 / 7:00 pm Park Avenue Synagogue / 87th St and Online Ruth Franklin and Rabbi Zuckerman  Explore the transformation of Anne Frank from ordinary te...
jewishlives.org
March 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Join American Jewish University for a FREE virtual discussion with Anthony Julius on "Abraham’s Legacy: Faith, Doubt, and the Birth of Judaism."

Register now at
open.aju.edu/event/abraha...
Abraham’s Legacy: Faith, Doubt, and the Birth of Judaism - Open Learning
Rediscover the story of Abraham, the first Jew, through the research and interpretation of author Anthony Julius. The story of Abraham is one of faith vs. skepticism, critique vs. devotion, and above ...
open.aju.edu
February 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg were unlikely partners in one of the most significant collaborations in movie history.

Join film critic Kenneth Turan on the latest episode of The Jewish Lives Podcast as we explore their extraordinary partnership.

Listen now: jewishlives.org/podcast
February 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
"In [the] tradition of creative interpretation comes a bold new biography by Professor Anthony Julius, hailed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, as “a masterpiece."

www.thejc.com/judaism/abra...
Abraham as you may never have known him before - The Jewish Chronicle
In his daring new biography, Anthony Julius portrays a divided patriarch
www.thejc.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM