Shalom Auslander
Encyclopedia
Shalom Auslander is an American
author and essayist. He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish
neighborhood in Monsey, New York
where he describes himself as having been "raised like a veal". His writing style is notable for its Jewish perspective and determinedly negative outlook. He often draws comparisons to David Sedaris
.
, and attended high school at the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy
in Manhattan
. He lived in Teaneck, New Jersey
.
(October 2007). His work, often confronting his Orthodox Jewish background, has been featured on Public Radio International
's This American Life
and in The New Yorker
. He was a finalist for the 2003–2004 Koret Jewish Book Award
for "Young Writer on Jewish Themes."
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author and essayist. He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
neighborhood in Monsey, New York
Monsey, New York
Monsey is a hamlet , in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Airmont and west of Nanuet...
where he describes himself as having been "raised like a veal". His writing style is notable for its Jewish perspective and determinedly negative outlook. He often draws comparisons to David Sedaris
David Sedaris
David Sedaris is a Grammy Award-nominated American humorist, writer, comedian, bestselling author, and radio contributor....
.
Early life
Auslander was born and raised in MonseyMonsey, New York
Monsey is a hamlet , in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Airmont and west of Nanuet...
, and attended high school at the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy
Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy
The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy, also known as Yeshiva University High School for Boys , MTA or TMSTA , is an Orthodox Jewish day school , the boys' high school of Yeshiva University in the Washington Heights neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan.-History:The Talmudical...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. He lived in Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
.
Career
Auslander has published a collection of short stories, Beware of God (March 2006) and a memoir, Foreskin's Lament: A MemoirForeskin's Lament: A Memoir
Foreskin's Lament: A Memoir is a book by Shalom Auslander. The book chronicles his upbringing as an Orthodox Jew and his efforts to break free from it...
(October 2007). His work, often confronting his Orthodox Jewish background, has been featured on Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
's This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
and in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
. He was a finalist for the 2003–2004 Koret Jewish Book Award
Koret Jewish Book Award
The Koret Jewish Book Award is an annual award that recognizes "recently published books on any aspect of Jewish life in the categories of biography/autobiography and literary studies, fiction, history and philosophy/thought published in, or translated into, English." The award was established in...
for "Young Writer on Jewish Themes."
Personal life
Auslander is married with two children, and currently resides in Woodstock, New YorkWoodstock, New York
Woodstock is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,884 at the 2010 census, down from 6,241 at the 2000 census.The Town of Woodstock is in the northern part of the county...
.
Books
- Foreskin's Lament: A MemoirForeskin's Lament: A MemoirForeskin's Lament: A Memoir is a book by Shalom Auslander. The book chronicles his upbringing as an Orthodox Jew and his efforts to break free from it...
(audiobook) - Beware of God: Stories (2005)
Short stories/magazine articles
- The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
(January 15, 2007) (audiobook) - "Nip it, bud", as appeared in Men's HealthMen's Health (magazine)Men's Health , published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, is the world’s largest men’s magazine brand, with 44 editions around the world. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. It covers fitness, nutrition, sexuality, lifestyle and other aspects of...
(June 2008) - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/30/blogging.usaArticle on The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
of 2008-07-30] - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/22/featuresArticle on The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
of 2008-09-22]
Radio interviews/readings
- Fresh Air with Terry Gross, interview from 2007-10-08
- "Israelis in America", an episode from the Podcast The Notebook
External links
- ShalomAuslander.com , Official website
- Interview on Bookslut (October 2007)