What Tisha B’Av can teach about the silencing, and creative defiance, of Jewish writers – opinion

The article discusses the silencing of Jewish and Israeli writers, drawing parallels to Rabbi Akiva's defiance after the Second Temple's destruction. It highlights the recent resignation of PEN America President Dinaw Mengestu, who protested the organization's report on the exclusion of Jewish and Israeli writers, stating that boycotts are "a form of dialogue." The report validated the experiences of many, noting an over 80% drop in book deals for Jewish or Israeli authors since 2023 and the use of blacklists. In response to this exclusion, organizations like Writing on the Wall, co-founded by the author, have emerged to provide new platforms for Jewish voices. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of creative defiance and authoring one's own reality, refusing to be silenced, much like Rabbi Akiva who saw a future redemption amidst destruction.