Programs for the Week of 4/25

Here on Earth wins a Gabriel Award for "Inside Islam: Muslims, Mosques, and American Identity"

Jean’s Pick of the Week: The Paper Garden: Molly Peacock’s perennial effervescence was well-placed in her enthusiasm for the extraordinary achievement of Mary Delaney, the 18th century British aristocrat who began her life’s work as an artist at the age of 72 when she invented mixed -media collage. As a poet turned biographer, Molly seized on Delaney’s gorgeous, botanically correct, cut-paper flowers as a metaphor, stitching and layering Mary’s story with the same patient craftsmanship for which Delaney is famous. A really fun program, and an inspiring one.

Monday: The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Why so much interest in MM lately? Is it an attempt to subvert the patriarchy? Among the several new studies of Mary Magdalene that started with the fanciful romance of The Da Vinci Code, Cynthia Bourgeault's book stands out. "To reclaim Mary Magdalene is to reclaim Christianity," she asserts.

Tuesday: Gandhi, Great Soul: Amidst political revolution—non-violent and violent—a new biography of Mahatma Gandhi hits the shelves. Has India idolized the man without fully embracing his teachings? What can we learn from this non-violent leader"s successes and disappointments? Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph Lelyveld joins us to talk about his new book.

Wednesday: TBA:

Thursday: Rilke's Poetry: Together with Rumi, Rainer Maria Rilke is among America's most prized poets. His connection to nature permeates his work, and his idea of the relationship between the human and the divine as being one of mutual need still inspires spiritual seekers of all walks of life. We'll be joined by Rilke translators Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy, both luminary poets and spiritual teachers in their own right.

Friday: Aromas of Aleppo: I've just returned from a trip to Aleppo where my husband's grandparents once lived as part of a vibrant Syrian Jewish community. Having eaten sumptuously while there, I naturally wanted to bring to our listeners an awareness of the wonders of Syrian cuisine. I remembered a wonderful cookbook that my sister-in-law once gave me – Aromas of Aleppo by Poopa Dweck, a beautiful blonde first generation Syrian–Jewish American, who has devoted much of her life to preserving and celebrating her community's centuries–old legacy.

I will be celebrating Passover and Easter with family in New York this weekend, and wishing you the blessings of this glorious season,

Jean