James Currey: Godfather of African publishing

Though now spending a well-earned retirement among the dreaming spires of the English university city of Oxford, British publisher James Currey still keeps up with work in African and Arab studies, fields in which he spent much of his long career.

Not only does Currey still have his own academic imprint in James Currey Publishers, now part of a larger concern, which specialises in work on modern and contemporary Africa, but he has also recently produced a memoir of a career spent introducing Western audiences to African and Arab writers when he was in charge of the African Writers Series and Arab Authors at the British publisher Heinemann.

These two series, managed by Currey from 1967 to 1984, provided the first international exposure for African writers such as Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe, Kenyan playwright and novelist Ngugi wa Thiong'o and South African novelist Bessie Head and sponsored the first English translations of works by Arab authors Tayeb Salih and Naguib Mahfouz.

Source: Al-Ahram Weekly

Spotlight: the Eliezer Project « The Jewish Star

It is the heartbreak of a parent telling a child they can’t get the new outfit they are accustomed to buying for the next chag. It is the feeling of guilt that a breadwinner feels because he can no longer provide for his family. It is the feeling of shame and distance that a family feels as they live with extreme financial hardship while the community around them appears to live life and celebrate holidays as if the world is okay. Job loss and its ensuing economic hardship are the uninvited guests that have already taken a great toll on our community.

Scholarship committees struggle to satisfy an increase in applications while the size of the scholarship funds dwindle. Rabbis’ discretionary funds are stretched to their limit. Recognizing the need to establish a local organization that would focus on issues of job loss, financial mismanagement and economic hardship, The Eliezer Project (TEP) was created to serve The Five Towns, Far Rockaway and West Hempstead. As the organization completes its first year of service to the community, it is important to take notice of the exemplary record of  accomplishment.

Job seekers are provided with a host of services. The process begins with a private and individualized meeting in which job opportunities and career paths are discussed. We follow with a thorough review and critique of the applicant’s resume. Most importantly, clients are enrolled in our Yahoo group. Membership in that group provides access to a listing of employment opportunities that is updated 2-3  times daily. Group members also receive a steady stream of articles relating to all aspects of conducting an effective and successful job search. Topics often include networking skills, use of social media and upcoming job fairs.  TEP also offers numerous seminars that can aid the job seekers in their search and improve their skills.

Those families experiencing financial distress and/or economic hardship are encouraged to meet with our team of professional and skilled counselors. After reviewing a client’s existing budget our counselors can provide guidance so that income and expenses are brought into alignment and, in some cases, help implement cash management programs for families. More severe circumstances might require a consultation to better understand the benefits and consequences of loan modification, debt consolidation including credit card debt, bankruptcy and a variety of other options. Clients are able to avail themselves of the services of a highly qualified group of volunteer attorneys, accountants and financial advisors. Often we are able to develop and implement strategies that will allow for a new beginning without the constant pressure and fear brought on by these serious financial burdens.

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