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.
On Sun. Nov. 22, 2020, I’ll be on a panel with authors Tziporah Cohen and Kathy Kacer at the virtual Limmud Toronto conference. The topic is: “More than Menorahs: A Conversation with Authors of Jewish Children’s Literature”. Sidura Ludwig will moderate the discussion.
How do writers of Jewish books for children balance the need to provide educational and celebratory books about Jewish holidays and tell important Holocaust narratives while still ensuring a diversity of Jewish stories? Where are the stories about contemporary Jewish kids, about Sephardic kids, or about lesser-known happenings in Jewish history? Why isn’t the range of Jewish identity reflected in books for young readers?
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the Limmud Toronto website: https://www.limmud.ca/
On March 9, 2020, before the coronavirus attacked Portugal and closed all schools down, I had the opportunity to speak at the Oeiras International School near Lisbon. Mrs. Linda Patient, head of the Humanities department, welcomed me warmly to the school as did the principal, Mr. Steve Lewis. I gave presentations to Grade 6 and 7 students of A Cage Without Bars and was delighted with the intriguing questions the students asked.
As of this writing, there have been over 10,000 cases of coronavirus in Portugal and over 250 deaths. My heart goes out to the warm and generous people of Portugal, and to everyone affected by this devastating plague. I hope that we will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.
On June 1, 2020, I’ll be speaking at the Liberation75 Conference in Toronto. My interactive session will be about “The Bricha: The Jewish Underground Railroad”.
The Hebrew word “bricha” means “flight” or “escape”. The Bricha was the illegal underground organization in post-World War II Europe that helped Jewish Holocaust survivors escape to DP camps in Germany, Austria, or Italy. I’ll speak about the history of the Bricha, the harrowing journeys of the refugees, and the final dismantling of the organization in 1948 when the State of Israel was established.
Here’s more information about the Liberation75 conference (from its website): Liberation75 will be the largest international event to mark the 75th anniversary of liberation from the Holocaust. From May 31 – June 2, 2020, Liberation75 will showcase the best-in-class work of innovative individuals and organizations. Liberation75 will explore the past, present, and future of Holocaust education and remembrance through captivating discussions and presentations, interactive workshops, survivor testimony, films, artistic and musical performances, unique exhibits, ground-breaking technology, and more.
Registration is now open for general attendees: https://www.liberation75.org/
From the time I was a young girl, I always loved to listen to stories. In fact, my writing career began with storytelling. Now, in Toronto, a group of tellers have gathered to revive Jewish storytelling. Here are the details:
What: Jewish stories encompass a wide variety of subjects–Bible, Talmud, folktales, historical, literary, Holocaust, personal anecdotes, jokes, humour, and so much more! The only rule is that reading is not allowed.
When: the 3rd Sunday of every month, 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.
Where: Congregation Habonim, 5 Glen Park Ave., Toronto (near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Ave.), accessible building, ample free parking, close to transit
Cost: $5 or PWYC
Who: Everyone is welcome–tellers and listeners all.
What else: Refreshments will be available.
Contact: jewishstorytelling@gmail.com
For more info about Jewish storytelling: http://tothestory.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-is-jewish-story.html
I’ll be speaking on the topic, “Gathering More Threads: The Tailor Project 70 Years Later”, as part of Holocaust Education Week at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue (Toronto) on Wed. Nov. 6, 2019, 7:30 PM.
No cost, pre-registration required at the link below:
https://www.beby.org/event/tailorproject
After the Holocaust, over 1,000 Jewish tailors and their families were chosen from displaced persons camps to come to Canada through the Garment Workers’ Scheme (“The Tailor Project”). I’ll be giving an illustrated, interactive lecture that will include the historical context of the Scheme, a short documentary film, and family stories. The Tailor Project is now being rediscovered by Impakt Labs with significant implications for immigrants and refugees coming to Canada.
Sponsored by The Goldfinger Family Fund at Beth Emeth and AJL – Ontario Chapter (Association of Jewish Libraries)
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.
I recently made a foray into the Land of Self-Publishing, and came out relatively unscathed. My historical novel, Written on the Wind (HodgePog Books, 2001), which was out of print, is now available as a Kindle e-book on Amazon. Written on the Wind tells the story of eight-year-old twins, Sarah and Michael, who are caught up in the devastating events in Toronto 1954 when Hurricane Hazel hit an unprepared city.
The newest episode of The Book of Life Podcast features me, talking about my middle grade historical novel A Cage Without Bars. This book brings to light the little-known history of Jewish children kidnapped into slavery after the expulsion from Spain in 1492. With family separation on our minds, this history is disturbingly timely.
You can hear the episode at https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/a-cage-without-bars.html, where you can also find a link to the written transcript. Please share with your friends and colleagues!