Join us to explore and discuss Divine encounters in coffee shops as presented by two of Israel's most acclaimed 20th century poets, Lea Goldberg and Yehuda Amichai. Goldberg, born in 1911, made aliyah alone from Europe in 1935. Amichai was born in 1924 Germany and emigrated to Israel with his parents in 1936. As contemporaries, their similar and varied life experiences (she was single, he married twice and was a parent) led to works that often seem to complement and respond to each other's.

Everyone is welcome, and the poems will be provided in both Hebrew and English translation. This is a rare opportunity to examine and connect with verses in a setting echoing those in the texts!

Dr. Miriam Rosalyn Diamond is an educator, author, and playwright. During the COVID emergency she led a year-long international online discussion series on the poetry of Goldberg and Amichai. She also has been an Israeli music DJ with a weekly spot on WERS' Chagigah show.

Miriam has taught at universities, Jewish institutions, as well as centers for adult and community education. She has researched, presented, and published on subjects such as friendship, mattering, spirituality, role play for learning, ethical development, and communities of practice. Her books include Encountering Faith in the Classroom, Fostering Religious Literacy Across Campus, and the forthcoming Protect Your Identity, Money & Information! How to Spot and Deal with Scams. She holds a PhD in Educational Processes from Northwestern University, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University, and a BS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University.

An exhibited artist, Miriam can be found relaxing in cafés while sketching her surroundings.