What happens when love, faith, and desire pull in fiercely different directions? That is precisely what happens in Light Fell, the award-winning debut novel by Evan Fallenberg. Set in a religious farming community and in secular Tel Aviv, Light Fell tells the story of Joseph Licht as he prepares for a first-time Sabbath reunion with his five grown sons, 20 years after leaving his old life behind in favor of a scandalous, riveting relationship with a dynamic young Orthodox rabbi. Fallenberg talked about his experience of religion, literature, and sexuality in Israel and how this has impacted his writing.

This program was presented in partnership with the Center on Halsted.

Recorded Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.