A Contemporary Song of Songs Inspires a Walk in Riverside Park

Janes Walk

Led By Jane Mushabac

We’ll meet at the Schinasi Mansion at 351 Riverside Drive at 107th Street. Award-winning Sephardic writer Jane Mushabac’s short story, “Kantiga” (Song), published in Judeo-Spanish in “Aki Yerushalayim,” is based on the biblical “Song of Songs,” and is set during the spring of 2021 when the beauty of Riverside Park and nearby places was a great solace during the pandemic. The walk will visit several of the places that animate the story, serving as both backdrops for the two young people’s meetings, and as sources for poetic metaphors in their talk. The nearby places include the Fireman’s Memorial, the Lotus Garden, the Statue of Kossuth, and the Hudson River where Cherry Walk begins. At one stop, there will be a 15-minute reading of the story, a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee, in English.

Accessibility

The spot where we're meeting, 351 Riverside Drive at 107th St. in Manhattan, may be reached easily by subway or bus. Our route distance is approximately 3 miles, so wear comfortable walking shoes. We'll be outside the entire time. Although our meeting place is accessible, the walk is not, as it includes several staircases.

Location Information

RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.

guided

Friday, May 2, 2025
11:00 AM
2 hours

Borough: Manhattan
Theme: History & Culture
Language: English
Riverside Park as seen from a pier on the Hudson River. Photo: Robert F. Rodriguez. Modifications: photo cropped.