This issue of the magazine includes:

• Polemic: The Curse of Bashevis, Continued

A Russian translation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s novel The Family Moskat was recently published in the popular book series, “The Prose of Jewish Life.” It was strongly criticized in this magazine, but highly praised in Moscow-based Novyi mir. This new article extends the debate.

• Problem: The Dream of a Krimchak, or Turkic Memory of Crimean Jews

The Krimchaks, a small Turkish-speaking ethnic group in the Crimean Peninsula, traditionally adhered to Judaism. Now, certain ideologists representing this group claim that the basis of Krimchak heritage is not Judaism but rather ancient paganism—namely, the cult of the Turkic deity Tengri. This magazine continues to publish analytical articles examining recent Krimchak publications, in order to understand why Krimchak leaders want to be "excluded from the Jews."

• Looking Through Russian Literary Magazines: Novels and Articles of Jewish Interest

• Synopses: Mordecai Richler’s Novels in Russian

A brief review presents two novels by Canadian-Jewish author Mordecai Richler (1931–2001), Barney’s Version and The Street, which were recently published in Russian translation.

• Jewish Calendar of Significant Dates: September–October 2008

• Bibliography: 40 New Books