A satirist, poet, and biblical commentator, Immanuel ben Shelomoh or Manoello Giudeo, was a contemporary of Dante. He moved swiftly between vernacular and Hebrew, modeled his verses on the Arabic maqama, and wrote the first known sonnets in Hebrew. He lived in Rome during the turbulent period following the communal experience, a member of a Jewish community that is known only through the many Hebrew manuscripts produced in its midst. His work and life have fascinated scholars for over six centuries, making him one of the most studied Hebrew writers in history; yet, in the world of mass culture, he has remained practically unknown. His most published and studied book, the Mahbarot, a collection of satirical tales written in Hebrew foreshadowing Boccaccio's Decameron, has never been translated as a whole. Scholars' widely diverging readings have cast mystery on his persona and the world surrounding him. At this event, you'll enjoy readings of Immanuel of Rome's Sonnets by actor Ronald Guttman, followed by discussion with literary scholar Fabrizio Lelli and translator Yehudah Cohn. The discussion will be moderated by Natalia Indrimi, director of the Centro Primo Levi.
New York City, NY; NYC