The Book of Izzy: A Novel, with Ben Gonshor
To register for this free in-person program with author Ben Gonshor and moderator Anna Fishman Gonshor, click here. The Library is located at 1835 Ellis Street in San Francisco, with free garage parking at 1227 Pierce Street between Ellis and Eddy.
Izzy is a writer who has found himself in a series of downward spirals; between his recently failed love life, his faltering career as both a wedding planner and a novelist, and an ever-looming mental breakdown, he’s at his wit’s end. He has decided to take himself off his meds, against the expert opinion of psychiatrists. There are freedoms that come with it, but drawbacks as well— including a lot of fretting from his overbearing but well-meaning family. Their concerns redouble after Izzy snaps at an important client and starts being visited by a mysterious bird that no one else seems to be able to see.
Encouraged by family and friends, he soon finds himself agreeing to take on the leading role in an amateur production of the greatest play in all of the Yiddish theatre: The Dybbuk, a gothic tale of destiny, possession, and the triumph of love over all. The play may be just what he needs to find creative solace, stay connected with his Jewish heritage, and even reignite his dating life. But when the play’s director dies suddenly and the theater is threatened with immediate closure, Izzy is thrust into a much greater role.
The Book of Izzy is a story about a man trying to find his own place between two worlds as he reckons with letting go of his painful past to focus on creating a fulfilling present. Filled with wit, candid discussions about navigating life with a mental illness, and an engaging cast of characters, the novel is a captivating modern take on Jewish cultural touchstones and heritage.
Ben Gonshor is an award-winning writer, actor, musician and entrepreneur. A lifelong member of The Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre in Montreal, he has played starring roles in its historic productions of The Dybbuk, the original musical adaptation of the award-winning film Lies My Father Told Me, and others. His play When Blood Ran Red won the David and Clare Rosen Memorial International Play Contest at the National Yiddish Theatre in New York. In his spare time, he owns and operates FLUIDS iQ, Canada’s Wellness Laboratory.
Anna Fishman Gonshor has taught Yiddish language, literature, and culture at McGill University in Montreal for more than two decades. She was also on the faculty of the YIVO Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture for many years, and has taught and lectured at such Yiddish cultural programs as KlezKanada and Yiddish LA. She has also translated for academic publications and archives of Yiddish literati. She lives in Montreal but is a regular visitor to Berkeley, where her daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren live.