The Smoke of Dreams

About the Author

Reena Ribalow is a poet and writer living in Jerusalem, Israel. She was born in New York City and educated at the Yeshiva of Central Queens, Hunter College High School and Queens College. She attended the University of Iowa PhD. Program and Writer’s Workshop on a Danforth Foundation Fellowship.

Reviews

"Emotionally lacerating, unsparingly honest, mordant, tender and full of longing, wisdom, and penetrating insight. “Jerusalem of Heaven, Jerusalem of Earth” is a masterpiece."

- Patricia Randell, Associate Artistic Director at New River Dramatists and poetry series

"Ribalow uses her beloved Jerusalem as biblical and literal backdrop, as inspiration and also metaphor, with an immediacy and intimacy reminiscent of Yehuda Amichai. These are essential poems, the sweeping arc of one woman’s life (and many women’s lives), that should be read and reread. I could not put it down."

- Sharon Pomerantz, Novelist, author of Rich Boy

"Ribalow inhales Jerusalem with every breath and exhales its sorrows and those of the whole world. These are powerful poems. Her voice is clarion. A chant of loving is its rhythm. You can’t forget the song it leaves on your mind."

- Bonnie MacDougal, Professor of English