Winner of Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature Announced

The Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, in association with the National Library of Israel, is pleased to announce that Oren Kessler, author of Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict (Rowman & Littlefield), is the winner of its 2024 award for nonfiction. The $100,000 prize is awarded annually to an emerging author writing in or translated into English.

Palestine 1936 has been heralded for its nuanced and balanced narrative on the origins of the Middle East conflict with far-reaching implications for our time. Kessler masterfully navigates the complex landscape of historical events, providing readers with a thought-provoking analysis of the actions and perspectives of the remarkable individuals involved in the conflict. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, he  sheds light on a pivotal period in history, offering a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the region to this day.

“I’m humbled and grateful beyond words for this tremendous honor, and to be joining this family of extraordinary authors whom I’ve read and admired for so long,” said Oren Kessler.

This year’s finalists are:

Jeremy Eichler, author of Time's Echo: The Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Music of Remembrance (Knopf), explores the capacity of classical music to bear witness to history, particularly in memorializing the horrors of the Holocaust.

Michael Frank, author of One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World (Simon & Schuster), offers a poignant glimpse into the forgotten history of the Jewish community of Rhodes, before its destruction by the Nazis, through the extraordinary life of Stella Levi.

Natalie Livingstone, author of The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World's Most Famous Dynasty (St. Martin's Press), examines the vision, intellect and resilience of the women who shaped the illustrious Rothschild dynasty, exerting influence still felt today.

Speaking on behalf of the Rohr Family, George Rohr congratulated Oren Kessler together with Jeremy Eichler, Michael Frank and Natalie Livingstone, emphasizing the significance of their contributions to Jewish Literature. “In periods of chaos and confusion throughout Jewish history, we have always turned to defining moments in our past for guidance," said George Rohr. "These authors have skillfully illuminated pivotal events and people, offering us invaluable lessons for the challenges facing us as a people today."

“Warmest congratulations to our new Fellows," said Debra Goldberg, Director of the Samir Rohr Prize. "Their collective efforts enrich the global Jewish and literary communities, highlighting the enduring relevance of past events in understanding and shaping our present and future."

The authors will be honored at a ceremony in New York City in June. 

 

About the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature

As the premier award of its kind, the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature recognizes the unique role of contemporary writers in the examination and transmission of the Jewish experience. The $100,000 prize is granted annually, for non-fiction and fiction in alternating years, to an emerging writer who demonstrates the potential for continued contribution to the world of Jewish literature. Inaugurated in 2007, the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature honors the legacy of Sami Rohr who enjoyed a lifelong love of Jewish learning and literature. www.samirohrprize.org