Adjunct Professor of English Carlie Hoffman, MFA, Wins National Jewish Book Award

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Adjunct Professor of English Carlie Hoffman, MFA, received a 2024 National Jewish Book Award for her poetry collection entitled When There Was Light.

Hoffman was awarded the Berru Award in Poetry in Memory of Ruth and Bernie Weinflash. Now in its 73rd year, the National Jewish Book Awards is a prestigious and long-running program of the National Jewish Council. This year, more than 100 judges reviewed over 650 submissions.

When There Was Light is Hoffman’s second published poetry collection, following her debut This Alaska, and explores themes of identity, heritage, family, and loss.

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“Carlie Hoffman’s When There Was Light shows a mastery of thinking through language,” said Sean Singer, National Jewish Book Award judge. “When There Was Light adds to Jewish poetics not only in its subjects, but in its system of thought: an area of doubts, wishes, and possibilities.”

Hoffman won a Northern California Publishers and Authors Gold Award in Poetry for This Alaska and was a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award. She’s also received a 92Y/Discovery Prize and an Amy Award from Poets & Writers.