Ruby Namdar's The Ruined House, is this Israeli author's response to experiencing Jewish life in America. In conversation with Professor Nancy Sinkoff, Namdar will discuss his sources of inspiration, his new-found relationship to the great Jewish-American authors of the previous generation and the rewards--as well as the challenges--of living in one language while writing in another. Winner of the 2014 Sapir Prize, Israel’s most prestigious literary award, The Ruined House was translated into English by Hillel Halkin, and recognized by the NY Times as a "masterpiece of modern-religious literature.”

Ruby Namdar was born and raised in Jerusalem to a family of Iranian-Jewish heritage. His first book, Haviv (2000), won The Ministry of Culture's Award for Best First Publication. His novel The Ruined House has won the Sapir Prize, Israel’s most prestigious literary award. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and two daughters and teaches Jewish literature, focusing on Biblical and Talmudic narrative.

Books will be on sale at the event (The Ruined House)