On December 10, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Israeli outreach initiative, Chofshi B’Manhattan, launched the New York City area’s first Hebrew writers’ workshop.

Participants travelled from as far as Europe and Canada to participate in the workshop, which is led by Israeli poet and children’s book author Orit Gidali, with special appearances by novelist Eshkol Nevo.

The 10-session workshop, comprised of meetings at Stephen Wise and sessions conducted via Skype, is a unique collaboration between Chofshi B’Manhattan and Sadnaot HaBait, an elite writing workshop in Israel that Gidali and Nevo founded 15 years ago. Sadnaot HaBait has helped nurture more than 1,000 creative talents, including 30 published authors and eight writers who have won prestigious literary awards.

“We hosted Eshkol Nevo for a talk last year and received wonderful feedback, with several participants suggesting that we should host a Hebrew writers’ workshop,” said Sarit Ron, director of Chofshi B’Manhattan. “We’re thrilled to bring this great idea to life, thanks to the talent and dedication of Orit Gidali and Eshkol Nevo.”

Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Chofshi  B’Manhattan (“Free in Manhattan”) program creates a home for New York City area Israeli-Americans who are interested in taking part in Jewish Israeli-style events.

Photo: Orit Gidali (right) meets with a student.