Etgar Keret, an award-winning Israeli author, will visit Syracuse University on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a lecture and reading. He will speak in the Hillel Lender Auditorium at 102 Walnut Place as part of the annual B.G. Rudolph Lecture Series in Judaic Studies.

Keret is best known for his short stories, graphic novels and scriptwriting for television and movies. Some of his most famous works are his short story novels: ‘The Girl on the Fridge,’ ‘The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God,’ ‘Kneller’s Happy Campers’ and the movie, ‘Jellyfish.’

In the past, Jewish scholars usually come to speak at the lecture series. But after Keret’s visit last year to SU’s creative writing program, the Judaic Studies Program and SU Hillel invited him as part of the series.

Keret will speak about his experiences and read sections of his stories. A question and answer session and reception will follow the lecture.

Karen Ortega, office coordinator for the Judaic studies program, said Keret will meet early Tuesday with students in creative writing classes, where he will talk about his writing style and answer any questions the students have about his work.

Ortega said that Keret was chosen for the series because of his recent popularity in the United States and his knowledge about the current conflicts in Israel.

Ken Frieden, the B.G. Rudolph professor of Judaic studies, said those interested in Hebrew literature are not the only ones that can enjoy Keret’s work. He said there are points of interest in Keret’s stories that will catch the attention of the general public and young readers.

‘The voice he conveys is very popular in Israel today. His characters are usually outsiders, which young people can often relate to,’ Freiden said. ‘He is a very popular writer and many people know him, and that is part of the reason he was asked to come speak at SU.’

Freiden encourages both students and the local community to attend the lecture and reading.

‘It is an important opportunity to make his work better known to American readers,’ Freiden said. ‘I think he will become better known in years to come.’

In the past, Keret received awards including the Israeli Ministry of Culture’s Cinema Prize. One of Keret’s movies, ‘Malka Red-Heart,’ won an Ophir prize, the Israeli equivalent of an Oscar, and praise at several international film festivals. Many of his books are bestsellers in Israel, and have published in 26 languages.

Keret currently teaches in the Hebrew literature department of Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, Israel. He lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, Shira Geffen, and their son, Lev.

algree03@syr.edu

Published on October 26, 2009 at 12:00 pm