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Dec. 14, 2007
Latkes for the holidays
Artists launch a new book with a timely title.
OLGA LIVSHIN
The writer-and-artist duo of Bob Bossin and Sima Elizabeth Shefrin launched their new book Latkes on Dec. 9 at a reading and presentation at Solly's Bagelry in Vancouver. Afterwards, grinning patrons were treated to hot latkes with sour cream, compliments of the shop.
Even before writing the book, Bossin was already well known in Canada as a folksinger. For many years, he roamed the country, travelling from place to place with his string band or alone, playing and singing, raising tough questions and tackling hard problems. His music and voice constituted parts of the movement that protected the ancient rainforest of Clayoquot Sound.
Raised in a large Jewish family with many aunts, uncles and cousins, Bossin was subjected in equal parts to show business, music and Jewish traditions since childhood.
Despite representing the multinational Canadian culture in songs, he never gave up his Jewish origins. "I certainly identify with the long line of Jewish troublemakers, radicals, writers, musicians and comedians," he said. His new book, Latkes, grew organically from his ethnicity, his nature as a songwriter and his penchant to shoulder difficult issues.
"I've always done projects in different genres, as the subject dictates," he said. "Many times they have been songs, but other times they have been reportage, documentaries, a book, even a medicine show – Bossin's Home Remedy for Nuclear War. It's all very much in a Jewish tradition, but the tradition of Karl and Groucho Marx, Irving Berlin, Jack Benny and Si Kahn."
Latkes tells a story within a story. "The cover story is completely inhabited by members of my real extended family, fictionalized where necessary," Bossin said. The year "2004 marked the 100th anniversary of the first Bossin – my grandfather, Zussman – coming to North America. I spent a month or two finding out what I could about Zussman for that anniversary. For Latkes, I just copied what I had found out."
The inner story is Bossin's interpretation of the Jewish folk tale Challot in the Ark, which dates back to the 16th century and talks about the work of God being done, unknowingly, by two Jews. Although the cheeky fable might seem an unlikely product for a politically oriented, deeply Canadian folksinger, Bossin disagrees.
"I always loved that story," he said, explaining why he had borrowed the plot for Latkes. "Initially, I wondered if there was a song in it, but it is too complex for a song. I'm not sure if I set out to write it as a short story, but it just headed down that path," he mused. "And it certainly is about serious issues, particularly between the generations. I suppose it also says something subversive about the nature of belief. I think it is a very Canadian story – about how a family got from there to here in two generations. And the moral is absolutely socialist, so it is a little political after all. I think it turned out better than I thought it would."
Latkes is illustrated by nine wonderful and stylish images, created by Shefrin, a British Columbia fabric artist. She has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions over the years and has extensive teaching experience. She has previously produced illustrations for Abby's Birds, a children's picture book by Ellen Schwartz. One of her projects, which gained international recognition, was the Middle East Peace Quilt. From 1999 to 2006, the quilt toured many cities in Canada and the United States, attracting attention and informing people about the complicated issues of the Middle East.
"We met at a benefit for some artist friends about three years ago," said Bossin. "I like fabric art and I liked her blue eyes. One thing led to another pretty quickly. We share a political point of view and personal journeys through ... culture, socialism and feminism.... It's great fun hanging with an artist. They are always looking at things in peculiar ways. We sure laugh a lot."
"Latkes is the first work project we've created together and it has been lots of fun," said Shefrin. "I was so pleased when Bob suggested I do some pictures for his story. I drew upon memories and images and in some cases photos from my childhood."
For the artist, her Jewish identity is very important. "Much of my artwork over the years has been on Jewish themes, so these illustrations were right within my personal artistic tradition," she said.
The solemn Jewish atmosphere of her illustrations for Latkes reflects the artist's integrity. "When I work with Jewish themes, I'm sharing a bit of my history and my people's history as it has lodged itself in my heart," she explained. "I consider the work I do depicting Jewish themes political work, even when the subject matter is not political, because I'm bringing a better understanding of Jewish culture to the world."
To know more about Latkes or to order a copy, log onto Bossin's website, www.bossin.com.
Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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