Submissions

Yad Mizrah will accept quality poetry, fiction, and non-fiction of any kind, with preference to works rooted in Sephardic and Mizrahi literary heritage, history, and culture. In addition, we also accept op-ed, book reviews, and visual art.

Yad Mizrah Literary Magazine, Jewish literary magazine, Sephardic and Mizrahi, Poetry, Fiction, Non Fiction, Art, Submissions, Literary Magazine, based in Jerusalem, Cochini Jewish women sitting for a traditional wedding in Cochin india.jpg.jpg
Yad Mizrah Literary Magazine, Jewish literary magazine, Sephardic and Mizrahi, Poetry, Fiction, Non Fiction, Art, Submissions, Literary Magazine, based in Jerusalem, delicious ripe figs, one fig split open.jpg
Yad Mizrah Literary Magazine, Jewish literary magazine, Sephardic and Mizrahi, Poetry, Fiction, Non Fiction, Art, Submissions, Literary Magazine, based in Jerusalem, ancient ruins and stairs of Jerusalem and the Middle East covered in growth and moss

YAD MIZRAH ISSUE 4 THEME

EXILE & RETURN

The theme of “Exile and Return” holds a uniquely layered significance for Mizrahi Jews, who often experience a profound sense of dual homeland and dual exile. On one hand, the Land of Israel has always been central to their spiritual identity, viewed as the ultimate homeland in collective Jewish tradition and history. For centuries, their separation from the Land of Israel was understood as part of the broader Jewish exile, with prayers, piyutim, and rituals expressing a longing to return. On the other hand, Mizrahi Jews also maintained a deep connection to their more immediate diasporic origins across the Middle East and North Africa. The forced expulsions of the 20th century, which uprooted these communities and led many to seek refuge in Israel, introduced a new layer of exile. While the physical return to Israel fulfilled an ancient yearning, it also meant leaving behind centuries of Jewish civilization that was deeply intertwined with the culture and history of their diasporic lands.

This duality creates a unique tension. Mizrahi Jews carry a strong nostalgia for the rich cultural heritage of their diasporic homelands—seen in their music, food, language, and traditions—while also embracing their historical connection to the Land of Israel. For many, the memory of vibrant Jewish communities in Baghdad, Casablanca, Damascus, or Sana’a exists alongside the spiritual pull of Jerusalem and Zion. Yet this dual experience complicates the typical narrative of Jewish exile and return, revealing instead a layered identity that bridges two worlds. Mizrahi Jews navigate the longing for what was lost in exile from Arab lands, even as they fulfill the ancient dream of returning to Israel. This nuanced perspective enriches the broader Jewish understanding of what it means to experience exile, displacement, and the hope of homecoming.

Yad Mizrah invites contributors to explore the theme of “Exile and Return” in all its complexity.

How to Submit:

Our submission periods are triannual.

Below are the dates for our 2024/2025 cycle:

Fall: November 1 - December 13

Spring: February 27 - April 10

Summer: June 4 - July 16

Send all submissions to yadmizrah@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word document. In your email, please write a brief cover letter about your background (who you are, previous publications, etc) and the piece you are submitting. Don’t forget to include a 3rd-person bio, two lines max! 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

For poetry: Writers may include up to 3 poems in a single submission. 

For fiction/non-fiction: Up to 2500 words max. 

For op-ed: Up to 1500 words max. 

For book reviews: Up to 1000 words. 

For visual art and photography: Artists may include up to three works in a single submission, PNG files. 

Yad Mizrah does not currently offer payment to their contributors, although we hope to do so in the future.