Submissions are now closed.
Emor is excited to announce the open call for submissions for Fragments Issue III, on Democracy.
In the modern era, many Jews have viewed the U.S. as a unique democratic refuge. But today, anti-democratic actors are seeking to win control of the United States. They are tapping into the existing fears of different groups of Americans, and fomenting new fears, in order to divide the electorate and consolidate their own hold on power. They offer imagined protection for some at the expense of the safety of others, mainly racial and religious minority groups. As we prepare for a momentous election, the Jewish community is grappling with similar questions of power and belonging. The fact is that not all Jews have had access to democracy in the U.S., nor is there yet racial equity within the Jewish community. Our ability to protect and advance democracy will be shaped by how well we address these dynamics, internally and in our coalitions with non-Jewish allies.
Our third issue of Fragments asks:
How can Jews work toward a vibrant multiracial democracy from a stance that is not fear-based?
What aspects and institutions of our democracy are we fighting to protect, fighting to win back, or fighting to create?
How does Judaism in particular — our sacred texts, history, and literature — teach us about this struggle and point ways forward?
We are excited to have April Rosenblum serving as guest editor for this issue. April’s writing and scholarship on Jewish identity, social change, and intersectional approaches to antisemitism grow out of her long engagement with social justice movements in the U.S. She has been featured in The Washington Post, Haaretz and Jewish Currents, is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of London’s Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism, and is at work on a popular history of Black/Jewish interconnection in the 20th century.
Articles
- Fragments seeks articles of 1,000 or 2,000 words that address our core questions from a wide range of fields and perspectives: Jewish text, history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, explorations of antisemitism, and more.
- Submit pitches using this form. Please do not submit full articles.
- Timeline:
- Pitches accepted until March 5, 2024.
- We will respond to accept or reject pitches by March 12, 2024.
- First drafts are due April 16, 2024.
- Second drafts are due May 28, 2024.
- Compensation:
- $400 for 1,000 words
- $750 for 2,000 words
- $100 “pass fee” for submitted first drafts that we opt to pass on and not continue with editing and publication.
- Questions can be directed to Emor’s Director, Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson.
Artistic Submissions
- Fragments is interested in publishing a wide array of artistic or personal responses to our core questions: poetry, short fiction, personal essay, memoir, photography, visual art, audio or video recordings (will be published with a QR code), and more.
- Submit complete pieces using this form.
- Submissions are due March 5, 2024.
- Compensation:
- $300 for a poem, video/audio recording, or other creative format.
- Prose pieces will be paid on the same scale as articles, above.
- $150 for photography or visual art.
All submissions to Fragments will be considered without regard to previous or standing relationship to T’ruah or Emor. If accepted for publication, contributions from T’ruah board members or family of T’ruah staff will be handled in accordance with T’ruah’s anti-nepotism policies, which may involve not being paid. Contributors under the age of 18 will be required to sign a parental consent form provided by Emor if their submission is accepted.
We are actively seeking to build a diverse and inclusive publication with a wide range of contributors, backgrounds, and perspectives. Fragments does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, personal appearance, family responsibility, political affiliation or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, transgender people, veterans, and people of color are encouraged to submit pitches.
Systemic inequities in Jewish communities have caused many women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people to question if their perspectives are Jewish “enough.” Emor values and endeavors to lift up intersectionality and a diverse array of perspectives that represents the fullness of our communities. We’d love to hear from you.
