B.E. Kahn, Pushcart Prize Nominee, is a grant recipient of both the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Council for Basic Education (the latter funded by The Pew Memorial Trust). She has been awarded numerous prizes for her poetry. Her poems have appeared in Harrisburg Review, Apiary, Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal, Mad Poets Review, Schuylkill Valley Journal and the online Tupelo Press Poetry Project among other publications. A retired school teacher and speech therapist, she lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and has taught poetry to intergenerational, interfaith and women's groups. She is a member of the 34th Street Poets Collective. B.E. Kahn is the author of three chapbooks: Spring Apples Silver Birch, 2008, Greenleaf Press; Landscapes of Light, 2010, Poets Wear Prada Press; and Night Spark: The Zoe Poems, Sept. 2013, Finishing Line Press. She was a finalist for the Mad Poets Joie de Vivre Book Competition, 2013. |
September, 2013: Finishing Line Press released B.E. Kahn's third chapbook, Night Spark: The Zoe Poems. Follow this link to read an interview about the book at treeriesener.blogspot.com.
March, 2013: She is a Finalist in the Mad Poets Joie de Vivre Book Competition.
November, 2010: She has been nominated for the 35th Annual Pushcart Prize.
"HOT OFF THE PRESS: LANDSCAPES OF LIGHT
Takes Readers on a Spiritual Road Trip from Athens to Jerusalem
HOBOKEN, NJ (November 1, 2010):
Poets Wear Prada is pleased to announce the release of Philadelphian native B. E. Kahn's LANDSCAPES OF LIGHT. 24 poems take you on spiritual road trip from Athens to Jerusalem, intertwining Greek, Arabic and Jewish cultures, the ever present past, ancients myths and legends, tradition, relics and the transient present of our "gifted days." All the while Kahn's strong voice, a bright & steady beacon, illuminates as she observes, reflects and questions, guiding the reader through sometime painful histories to the future possibilities, reminding us that "Our language differs, but smiles, gestures carry our thoughts across the wire of our minds. "The inviting front cover illustration "Let's go to Greece," is by Lila Rostenberg of Fayetteville, Arkansas..." Read the entire press release here.
Links to my poetry on the web...
Her Body Remembers (from Night Spark: The Zoe Poems) at Apiary Magazine.
Poet of the Week (week of June 7, 2010) at Poetry Super Highway
12th Annual Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Issue (April 19 - 25, 2010)
Until the Photo Was
Developed (from Landscapes of Light) appeared in The New Verse News Online
Journal, Wed. Nov. 28, 2007
Ode to the Worm appeared in the Tupelo Press Online Poetry Project, June 2007
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She has read her poetry at Barnes & Noble Book Stores, Robins Book Store, The Big Jar, Qbix Gallery and other venues in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Massachsetts and Arizona. At the Jewish Reconstructionist Convention, 2007,
she read from Landscapes of Light while her son, Nate Kahn, a professional musician and band leader (soulpatchphilly.com) in the Philadelphia area, accompanied her on his guitar.
Some More Current Readings: May 6, 2019: In celebration of Walt Whitman's Bicentennial: Whitman at 200: Art and Democracy, (in Philadelphia, Camden,NJ and New York,)-- featuring Leonard Gontarek, fine poet, teacher and Program Organizer-- "Poetry in Common" and "Osage Poets"-- a reading was held at Philadelphia Main Library. B. E. Kahn was delighted to read.
April 17th, 2019: B. E. Kahn and Nina Schaefer (both members of 34th Street Poets) read at the Watermark Logan Retirement Community.This was the second time around for Kahn, whose mutual connection to very kind, receptive residents made it a special, unforgettable evening. Kahn's reading revolved around Jewish themes, Passover,etc. It was a fun event.
34th Street Poets, 3-26-19: Our audience was excited that we were all so diverse in our presentations--and all interesting and "good!" Readers and listeners enjoyed the evening. We felt very much at home because we have been meeting at Kelly Writers House for many years every Monday evening, except when campus is closed for holidays. Then we alternately meet at a convenient home of a member.
The Winter Issue dealt with journeys and how they effect our lives. B.E. Kahn read her poem: Oh This Route--Not 66, which she was honored to have appear in this fine literary magazine, Philadelphia Stories.
Oh This Route-Not 66
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A chauffeured Jaguar, white, awaits.
For now I tend my own modest rose.
Poems at the door, early, late gather.
A dream ladder climbs. Ten wishes rise.
The plain open road of life
crosses this country. Green hills shelter
song-filled home, walls all red and gold.
Sky windows
into my prayers. Two soft chairs
tea cups, tango moon, garden path.
December 4th, 2018:
Moveable Beats Reading Series, led by Jim Mancinelli and Michele Belluomini, presented a poetry event featuring Women's Voices at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Phila. 19104--7 to 9 pm. There was a large flow of readers, all women--speaking to a very full house of attendees--men and women. The subjects of their poems varied and were strong.
As many believe and hope, that poetry is a catalyst for social change, feelings were high that evening that good values are "a-comin'" to our beleaguered society.B.E. Kahn was among all of the very well received poets. The audience was a gift.
Recent Events & Readings...
February 7, 2017, the 34th Street Poets Collective, meeting each Monday evening since 1992 (the longest, still-in-existence such group in Philadelphia) was interviewed by poet, Charles Carr and televised on Philly Cam. All 7 current members were present: Alyson Adler, Deidra Allen, Sandra Chaff, Barbara Daniels, Minna Duchovney, B.E. Kahn, Nina Schafer. Click to view the video.
March 21, 2017, WRITERS RESIST, Reading at Green Line Cafe, Leonard Gontarek, Host of more than 20 invited poets. We read present-day and historic poets who spoke to the political, and moral events of today. Kahn read Abba Kovner and I L Peretz.
March 23, 2016, Watermark Retirement Community, a well-known Center City Senior Residence-- It was there Kahn read from her book Spring Apples Silver Birch at the request of Michele Belloumini, fine poet, who was working with a Watermark writing group on memoir and thought it particularly appropriate.
Philly Poetry Day, April 2016, B.E. Kahn read with many gifted poets from the Osage Poetry Group, led by Leonard Gontarek. She has been a member of Osage since 2014.
B.E. Kahn has been leader of the "Pop-Up" Poetry Reading at the Philadelphia Library, Main Branch on the Parkway since Philly Poetry Day was originated and organized by Leonard Gontarek in 20..
Kahn has been a constant reader at the 100 Thousand Poets for Change. Saturday, September 27, 2014 included two venues: first the Green Line Cafe, 43rd & Baltimore Av. The second was Moonstone Arts at Brandywine Workshop. 2015 and 2016 drew large crowds at Green Line.Past Events & Readings...
2015, Main Point Bookstore hosted several gatherings of a Circle of Poets at its previous location in Bryn Mawr. It was a pleasure to read at these gatherings and see listeners favorable reactions to all of our work.
Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 (6:30P.M.) -- At the University of Pennsylvania Kelly Writers House at 38th & Locust Walk, B.E. Kahn will read with The 34th Street Poets, a Collective of which she has been a member and which has been meeting weekly since 1992. Current members include Alyson Shore Adler, Deidra Greenleaf Allen, Sandra Chaff, Barbara Daniels, Minna Duchovnay and Cindy Savett.
Wednesday, August 12th 2015, 7:00P.M., at Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St Phila. Pa, B.E. Kahn read with "The Osage Writers" a large group taught by poet, Leonard Gontarek, the terrific Philadelphia teacher and mentor. The evening, a tribute to poetry.
Saturday, August 1, 2015 -- "A Little Summer Madness" Media Burrough Hall in the Parlor, P.M., the 34th Street Poets: Deidra Greenleaf Allen, Sandra Chaff, Minna Duchovnay and B.E. Kahn read.
Sunday, April 19th, 2015 -- Blue Marble Bookstore, Carpenter Lane, Phila., 4:00P.M "Four Poets: Facets of their Jewish Journeys" Cathy Cohen, B.E. Kahn, Hila Ratzabi, and Hal Sirowitz all read poems on Jewish themes.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 -- P.M.,Philly Poetry Day at Main Library, 21st & Parkway: A "Pop-Up" Poetry Reading by B.E. Kahn and friends from the 34th Street Poetry Collective. As happened last year, wonderful poets sauntered in, stood at the foot of the central, grand staircase and read.
Monday, December 1, 2014 -- J.C. Todd and B.E. Kahn read at the Main Philadelphia Library, 21st & Parkway at 7p.m.
Saturday, Sept 20, 2014 -- B.E. Kahn led a poetry session for Selichot, on the subject of Forgiveness as part of the High Holy Days, at Or Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue, 190 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, Pa 19034.
Saturday, Sept 6, 2014 -- Graveyard Voices
You can buy your ticket online (click for more information and to purchase tickets) ; at the new fringe headquarters and box office; or, if tickets are still available, at the gate the evening of the performance. We do encourage you to buy your ticket in advance if possible.
Cemetery seating is on the grass, so bring a blanket or chair if you need one. In the event of rain, the performance will be held inside the church.
Saturday, April 26, 2014 -- Musehouse Center for the Literary Arts, 7 pm. 7928 Germantown Ave. Chestnut Hill, PA: Group reading of the 34th St. Poets, my poetry peer group since 1992: Alyson Adler, Deidra Allen, Sandra Chaff, Barbara Daniels, B. E Kahn, and Cindy Savett.
Sunday, April 6, 2014 -- Group Event: Moonstone Arts, Jewish "Y", Broad & Pine, Phila, PA, 12:30 pm
Saturday, December 7th, 2013 -- 7:00 p.m., B. E Kahn read with Kristina Moriconi at Musehouse Center for the Literary Arts, 7924 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013 -- at 7:00 p.m. B.E. Kahn read at Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St, Phila. PA 19103. Her son, Nate Kahn singer, guitarist, leader of his band, "Soul Patch" performed during and after she read.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 -- 7 to 9 pm , B.E. Kahn read with Bernadette McBride: Multi-Genre Poets & Artists at Wallingford Community Center. 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA 19086. B.E. Kahn also exhibited some of her paintings at the reading. A photo of one of her canvases is the cover of "Night Spark: The Zoe Poems".
Tues., December 20, 2011:
7:00 pm, THE GREEN LINE CAFE PRESENTS: An Open-Invitational Reading
Hosted by Leonard Gontarek & Lillian Dunn. The Green Line Cafe is located at 45th & Locust Streets.
*Readers were invited to read two of their own poems and one poem by a poet they consider overlooked, with a brief statement about the poet and why you think their work is significant.
Readers include:
John Timpane + Betti Kahn + Rosemary Cappello
Ditta Baron Hoeber + Meredith Avakian
Michele Belluomini + Clinton Smith + Janet Fishman
Rafi Lev + Bob Gamberg + Kathryn Rose
Naila Claudia Schulte + Janet Spangler
Autumn McClintock + Charles Carr
Hanoch Guy + Lillian Dunn + Leonard Gontarek
Mon., October 17th, 2011:
6:00 p.m., at the Penn Bookstore, 36th & Walnut St, B.E. Kahn read with the 34th St. Poets, a group she's been a member of for 20 years. The other current members are: Alyson Adler, Deidra Allen, Sandra Chaff, Barbara Daniels and Cindy Savett. Most are published poets and all have unique poetic voices.
Tues., March 22nd, 2011:
7:00 pm, Robins Bookstore, 13th & Sansom Streets, Phila., PA. B.E. Kahn and Michelle Belluomini read.
Sun., Jan. 9th, 2011:
3:15-5:30 pm at the Manayunk Art Center, 419 Green La.(rear), Manayunk, PA.
ETHNIC VOICES: 6 Poets of The Philadelphia Poets Journal--Mel Brake, Joseph Cillufffo, Anna Evans, B.E. Kahn, Jim Mancinelli & Emiliano Martin read their poetry. Rosemary Cappello, Editor emceed.
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