Sayed Kashua will speak about his work and share his views about life in Israel at UCLA on April 26

By Rebecca Kendall, Director of Communications

Award-winning author, satirist, and TV comedy writer Sayed Kashua is bringing his sharp wit and social commentary to UCLA on April 26.

Kashua, who has been compared to Woody Allen and Jerry Seinfeld, will speak about his latest novel, “Second Person Singular,” and Israeli society and culture in conversation with Professor Arieh Saposnik, director of UCLA's Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, in Dodd Auditorium Hall, Room 147 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Following his talk, Kashua will be available to sign copies of his book, which will be on sale at the event.

An Arab citizen of Israel who writes in Hebrew, Kashua uses humor and insight to write about the tensions that exist in Israeli society and the often difficult questions of identity faced by Israeli-Arabs and Jews. The author of “Dancing Arabs” and “Let it be Morning,” Kashua released “Second Person Singular” in 2010. It is said to be his most accomplished and entertaining work yet, and earned him the 2011 Bernstein Prize, an annual Israeli literary award given to writers aged 50 and younger.

“By satirizing pretty much all aspects of Israeli society — Jews and Arabs alike, as well as their perceptions and stereotypes of one another — Kashua brings to the surface the complexities, contradictions and challenges of Arab-Israeli identity as well, ultimately, as those of Jewish-Israelis,” says Saposnik. “He is a very engaging and entertaining speaker, who will surely provide in this conversation the same kind of combination of wit, humor and almost painfully penetrating insights into the dynamics of relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel and into the work of the writer generally.”

In addition to his books, Kashua is the creator of “Arab Labor,” one of the most popular shows in Israel and the first primetime show to depict Palestinian characters speaking Arabic. He also writes a weekly satirical column for the Ha'aretz newspaper.

This event is hosted by the Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, in partnership with Writers Bloc and UCLA’s Department of Comparative Literature.General admission is $10 in advance (general registration) or $15 at the door. There is no cost for UCLA students who present valid ID (student registration).