Jewish poets and others are invited to attend a Jewish Poetry Salon Sunday, September 20, 2026 10am to noon. The quarterly salon features member poets of the Jewish Artists of the National Capital Region David Ebenbach and Jennifer Freya Helgeson. Both poets will read from their forthcoming books followed by time for attendees to share a poem. Kosher bagels will be provided.
Space is limited and advance rsvp is required. To RSVP, submit your interest using the JANCR interest form here. The salon location will be confirmed following RSVP.
David Ebenbach is a U.S. writer of fiction and poetry, a teacher, and an editor. He is the author of eleven books, and he is the recipient of the Drue Heinz Literature Prize, the Juniper Prize and the Patricia Bibby Award. He teaches creative writing and literature in Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization and where he researches and promotes whole-student and inclusive education through Georgetown’s Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship.
Jennifer Freya Helgeson holds a PhD in Environmental and Developmental Economics and has authored several peer-reviewed publications, co-edited textbooks, and published in several media outlets. Her poetry has appeared in Plants and Poetry, Poem Alone, The Woodside Review, Tension Literary, Pacific Review, Myo, the Orenaug Mountain Poetry Journal, Windward Review, Diutay Review, among others. Helgeson is an editor of the Mid-Atlantic Review, published by Day Eight, and her first book of poetry is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press January 2027.
Day Eight’s Jewish Artists of the National Capital Region program was created with the goal of finding ways for member artists to co-support within a repressive environment for Jewish identification. The community is facilitated by a volunteer board including leaders Ori Z Soltes, David Ebenbach, Sarah Tasman, Hillel Smith, and Robert Bettmann.