Our Monthly Book Discussion Group
Every month, AZJHS invites the public to attend a Book Discussion Group. Participants are strongly encouraged to read the books prior to the discussion. Each discussion is led by a speaker and FREE to the public. Unless noted otherwise, the author of the book is not in attendance.
To download the flier: CLICK HERE
Hidden Star: Faith, Family, Future
Discussion by Author, Ellie Gersten
Thursday, June 20 at 2PM (MST)
Estrella Schmitt, believed she had the perfect life. She was married to the man of her dreams, had the ideal job, and a loving family. Her world turned upside down when she went home to Pueblo, New Mexico, to say goodbye to her dying Abuelita (grandmother) whose last words to her favorite grandchild were Somos Judios, we are Jews. Estrella was left with a lot of questions and a chest full of mementos proving she was a descendant of Spanish Crypto Jews. Confused by this knowledge, she rummaged through the box and found audio tapes of her grandmother’s translation of an ancestor’s journal. The tapes described the harrowing experience her ancestors endured when they left for New Spain in 1597. They fled Spain to practice Judaism in peace, but the Inquisition followed them to the New World where they dared to observe their religion in secrecy. Fascinated by their story, Estrella recounts her family’s odyssey and their fate.
“Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey Through the Holocaust”
New original exhibit depicting the stories of survivors through compelling stories of survival, immersive holographic and virtual reality technologies, historical objects, artifacts, and artwork by Robert Sutz.
The current exhibit, Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey Through the Holocaust, in the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center historic gallery, is currently open by appointment only.
To schedule a visit or tour please contact Gallery Manager, Mary Ellen Page at mpage@azjhs.org or call 602.241.7870 to schedule a visit or tour.
ADDRESS:
122 E. Culver Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1720
We are located right next to Burton Barr Phoenix Public Library. To find us, take 2nd Street south from McDowell.
AZJHS is deeply grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their generous support and gifts throughout the year. Because of you, we are able to continue providing to the public at no cost our many programs, events and exhibits.