COMMON MAN, MYTHIC VISION: The Paintings of Ben Shahn On The Bookshelf JULY 25- OCTOBER 31 Jewish authors tackle sex. -,,•- the book, in bed." Sexy or not, the people of the book prove wonderful bedfellows; with Philip Roth, Isaac Bashevis Singer and BRIAN SELFON Saul Bellow all between the same Special to the Jewish News sheets (of paper), how could you go wrong? icture this: a couple of Jews hav- Although 26 of the 27 authors ing sex. If the image strikes you included in the anthology are, in as shameful, nauseating or laughably fact, Jewish, Bukiet suggests that it improbable, don't worry — you're not is the stories that give Neurotica a alone. Jewish- flavor. But why does "Maybe it's the sex stir up such ability — or negative feelings in the necessity us? Jews have been — to see the having sex for tragic and the / some 6,000 years. comic as a sin- It is something gle rather than that every genera- a two-sided tion must learn on coin that its own and yet makes particu- something that lar stories connects every intrinsically generation to the Jewish more so Torah (think of all than the the begetting!), to author's last the history and name or native future of a people. soil," he 3 ESVIStI WRET R S ON SEX It is the source writes. of families and Neurotica synagogue congre- so abounds gations, of joy and with the celebration, of "Neurotica" Editor Melvin humor and frustration and suf- Jules Bukiet: "Witness the anguish fering. What people of the book, in bed." that Bukiet could be more speaks of Jewish than that? that one Before you say cannot read it without feeling suffused General Tso's chicken, take a look at with Jewish culture. Whereas sex is the Neurotica: Jewish Writers on Sex (WW. topic and the page-turner, Jewish cul- Norton; $26.95). The bewildering ture, traditions and attitudes are the notion of Jewish sex (which can be background, the foreground and something entirely different from everything in between; they are the kosher sex) is what binds together the raw material from which these works play, the varied short stories and the are constructed. novel excerpts that constitute Many of the stories utilize and Neurotica. satirize stereotypes of Jews. In "The Melvin Jules Bukiet, the editor Whore of Mensa," the hilarious who selected these 27 works and short story by Woody Allen that who is a distinguished author in his opens Neurotica, the title character own right, welcomes the reader to describes herself as a caricature of a the mindscape of Neurotica in his New York Jew: "Central Park West introduction: "Witness the people of upbringing. Socialist summer Brian Selfon, a resident of White Lake camps, Brandeis." Township, is a senior at Brown University. The delirious and delightful Neurotica: Jewish Writers on Sex ^•- P BEN S H A H N championed social justice and made paintings that communicate the shared experiences and concerns of humanity. His art expresses our joys and sorrows, reflects his Jewish heritage, and celebrates the strength of the human spirit. Saturdays, October 16, 23 & 30 Class: Realism in America: Art, Politics and the Works Progress Administration, 10 a.m.-noon Fee: $30; DIA members & seniors $24; students $12. Must pre-register. Call 313-833-4249. This exhibition is sponsored by Ernst &Young LLP. Major support was received through the generosity of The Henry Luce Foundation. Additional fimding was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Organized by The Jewish Museum, NY. In Detroit the exhibition is made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit. 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit • 313-833-7900 • wwwdia.org MtIs io Experience , —.4.-7: --•,... 0 . our -Full service :. salon...massages, . facials, full body waxing, fair , replacement, , manicures, ,. , pedicures,. {pair color & ,s, - , cut specialists. / , ,/ .5 ' , „ .,,, — - ., ,-.,, \ , . .i. \‘, , ,.... ,, u. . , ., „ i - , , -. . . tom. . • . .-... . . _ .• . \ . . ,. ;1 /N4ianza /4 alon , ,, .. 29199 Northwestern hwy. 86 Detroit Jewish News ,3, , New cuatomers only Please. (2+8) 35 6-5 2.50 • , , 20% O ANY MAIN SALON SERVICE. WITH TI-115 AD. 10/15 1999 \ . , ', .„. , t"