On November 20, 2025, Rona Arato and I gave talks to students at the Ottawa Jewish Community School. Rona spoke about her award-winning book, The Last Train, and I spoke about researching and writing biographies. We both enjoyed telling the students about our work and answering their many thoughtful questions. Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for the Writers-in-the-Schools program, which sponsored our readings.
On April 23, 2026, I was pleased to give a talk to students, parents, and teachers at the Danforth Jewish Circle (Toronto) about my historical novel, Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure. The students were interested in the history of how Morris Saxe brought Jewish orphans from Poland to Canada in the late 1920s. They also asked lots of questions about the writing process. Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for the Writers-in-the Schools program which sponsored my reading.
I’m pleased to share the YouTube interview that Ellin Bessner did with me and Dave Fleishman about Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure. It was a delight to discuss how I researched and wrote this historical novel as well as the “back story” about Morris Saxe. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqm8Dpz7q8E
I hope you’ll enjoy watching this video. Please tell friends and colleagues who might be interested.
Ellin Bessner interviewed me and Dave Fleishman for her podcast, The CJN Daily. As of July 7/21, it’s now out in the world. I’m happy to share the interview about Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure. Enjoy!
https://thecjn.ca/canadas-schindler/
Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure was officially launched on Sun. March 21, 2021. Here’s the YouTube video of the launch.https://youtu.be/PGAp1-bZsBY
I enjoyed sharing this launch with my writer-friend, Rona Arato, whose new book is Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Anti-Semitism and the MS St. Louis (Lorimer Press). Two different stories but both connected in many ways.
I’m delighted to announce that A Cage Without Bars (Second Story Press) will receive the Canadian Jewish Literary Award (Youth) 2019. http://cjlawards.ca/ I hope my family, friends, and colleagues will be able to attend this event. Here’s the press release:
The Canadian Jewish Literary Awards is honouring eight outstanding books for 2019. Now in its fifth year, the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards recognizes and rewards the finest Canadian Jewish writing.
Winners have been declared in the following categories: fiction, memoir, biography, history, scholarship, Holocaust, Yiddish, and books for children and youth.
“Choosing just eight Award winners was a challenge this year,” says Jury chair, Edward Trapunski. “The depth and breadth and quality of the submissions show the vibrancy of the culture and the appeal of Jewish themes for fiction and non-fiction writers.”
The awards ceremony will be held on October 27, 2019, at 2:00 pm in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto. Everybody is invited and welcome. Admission and parking are free. The York University subway station is conveniently right outside the door of the theatre.
Meet the winning authors and hear them speak about their books. A dessert reception will follow where the award-winning books will be available for purchase and author signing.