The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community presents a three part series "In the Shadow of Two Great Hills: Literature of the Berkshires" with Michael Hoberman, professor at Fitchburg State University. Hoberman is the author of several books and essays on Jewish American culture, including New Israel/New England, Jews and Puritans in Early America and A Hundred Acres of America: The Geography of Jewish American Literary History.
The first session (Monday, November 4) considers how the mountains and rivers of the Berkshires have inspired several generations of writers. Authors included are Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Hal Borland.
Session 2 (Monday, November 11) concentrates on the literary legacy of the Berkshires' farms and small towns. Authors included are Catherine Maria Sedgwick, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Edith Wharton.
The final session (Monday, November 18) explores the literature of the region's larger towns and its history of industrial activity. Authors included are Herman Melville, W.E.B. Dubois, Milton Bass, and Joe Manning.
This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.