Gay Jewish Poetry Reading in Philadelphia

Join Nehirim at Giovanni’s Room, the historic gay bookstore in Philadelphia, for a poetry performance by Nehirim’s executive director, Jay Michaelson, and longtime faculty member Rabbi Jacob Staub.

Jay will read, shout, and declaim poetry from Another Word for Sky, his first collection of poetry. Like the author, the poems run the gamut: from Ashbery-like analytics to raucous queer mystical love poems, Ginsbergesque rants and fantasies to quiet reflections on the passage of time. A recent finalist for the Koret Young Writer on Jewish Themes Award, Michaelson has performed his work (often with drum and musical accompaniment) at CBGB, Burning Man, the Bowery Poetry Club, and dozens of university campuses around the country. His work will be complemented by some of Jacob Staub’s queer midrash and exploration of the intersections between spiritual and romantic love.

Sunday, March 21, 530-7pm

Giovanni’s Room
345 South 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107

No advance tickets available; come early as the bookstore is small!