"I don't want a niche – I want an empire!" – Michael Wex, Globe and Mail
...albeit a virtual one.
It's long been our hope that How to Be a Mentsh would end up being discussed in the various flavours of synagogue across the English-speaking world (no translations have been commissioned as yet). And now it's happened.
Rabbi Mark Fasman of the Shaare Zedek Synagogue of St. Louis, MO references the book in his January edition of "Message from the Rabbi" which discusses the three main components of Jewish identity today.
Rabbi Fasman uses Mentsh to illustrate how one of the fundamental aspects of the Jewish experience is being in goles or exile - being outsiders - which informs the strength of a Jewish community that takes care of itself.
You can read the full Message from the Rabbi here.
MichaelWex.com approves this message.
Michael Wex and Henry Sapoznik ham it up (if you'll pardon the expression) at Di Hoo-Ha
The entire Wex family just returned from another great week at Klezkamp.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Yiddish Cultural event which takes place near Kerhonkson in upstate New York.
It was truly a vintage year - registrations were up, the dress-up ball Di Hoo-Ha was a massive success and Mrs. Wex had more kids in the Klezkids program than ever before.
And with an exciting announcement by founder Henry Sapoznik (pictured above) regarding the University of Wisconsin's support Klezkamp's future looks better than ever before.
If you would like to spend a week getting away from Christmas to immerse yourself in Yiddish culture then check out the Klezkamp website.
This coming Tuesday Wex will be launching How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) in New York.
At 6.30pm at the Workmen's Circle on Tuesday 27th October Michael will be giving a talk on his new book and signing copies.
This is the US launch of Mentsh and is one of only a handful of appearances he will be making in the States before Christmas.
If you're anywhere near the city please come and say hello. This is Wex's only visit to New York this season - don't miss him!
I've finally gotten around to migrating the store from Wex's old website.....
For these and other great products, go to the MichaelWex.com store page.
Wex and Farfl celebrate the good news
We were delighted to hear today that How to Be a Mentsh (and Not a Shmuck) made it onto the Maclean's non-fiction bestseller list just two weeks after its publication.
Thanks to Adria Iwasutiak from Knopf for passing on the good news and sending us the link.
You can see the full list on the Maclean's website here.
We may celebrate with some Jewish deli tonight....
