About Jonathan Garfinkel

I'm a writer mostly based in Toronto, although I'm currently living in a castle in southern Germany. Sometimes I read Isaac Babel to the blind horse in the field. Other times I write. I've written a book of poetry called Glass Psalms, three plays (one of which is 'House of Many Tongues', which will premiere in Bochum, Germany on Sunday, October 19) and a book of literary non-fiction, 'Ambivalence: Adventures in Israel and Palestine' (published by Norton U.S. and Penguin Canada). Currently I'm working on a novel and trying to improve my soccer skills. Oh yes. I've recently started up a Jewish jogging club with San Francisco-based artist Josh Greene.

Sebald, Stuttgart and an Unexpected Letter

By Jonathan Garfinkel October 24, 2008

I received a note in my mailbox today from a friend. I want to post part of it because it is about a street not far from where I’m living right now. Included with the letter (in the mailbox) was … Read More

For Germans, Schvitz Is A Science

By Jonathan Garfinkel October 23, 2008

Well, it’s a foggy day here at the Castle. Perfect opportunity to head to the Mineralbad in Stuttgart. While Bochum is one of the ugliest cities in Europe, Stuttgart is only moderately ugly. Mostly destroyed during the war, it has … Read More

The New Germany

By Jonathan Garfinkel October 22, 2008

So I am living in Germany under somewhat unusual circumstances. That is, I’m living in a castle. The castle is called Schloss Solitude and was built in the 18th century by Duke Karl-Eugen. It was actually his summer home and … Read More

Alien Love

By Jonathan Garfinkel October 21, 2008

In the end, the play did have its premiere last night – and it went well, I think. At least the audience seemed to think so. The lead actress was on a ton of painkillers and could barely stand up, … Read More

A Jewish Playwright in Germany

By Jonathan Garfinkel October 20, 2008

Jonathan Garfinkel, author of Ambivalence: Adventures in Israel and Palestine, will be blogging all week as one of Jewcy‘s Lit Klatsch bloggers. Garfinkel is currently living and directing a play in Germany.  I’m in Bochum, Germany, which I’m convinced is … Read More