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Book Club: We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter

by Josie Zeman

We were strangers OnceShomrei Book Club

We often hear that America is a nation of immigrants. The novel “We Were Strangers Once” by Betsy Carter is the story of a determined Jewish family who cope with an unfamiliar society and loss of previous status as they re-establish their lives in the U.S. after escaping from Hitler’s net. At a time when immigrants are a national issue, it would be good to revisit the difficulties our own people encountered as strangers in a strange land.

Our June discussion of “If All the Seas Were Ink” was lively, very passionate as the group of 8 was divided between those who loved the book and those who absolutely did not like the author’s point of view.

We are skipping July so our next meeting will be the third Monday in August, Aug. 20 at 7:30pm.

Hope to see you in August!

All are welcome to join us. Contact Josie Zeman at  for more information if you are interested.

Buy the Book

The book is also available at the public library or from other booksellers.

Read a Review

 

 

  • Josie Zeman

    Josie Zeman joined Shomrei in 2007 (not sure) shortly after moving to Montclair to find a compatible community in retirement. She volunteers to do public relations outreach for Shomrei, helps in the office, and the kitchen, organizes sessions of the monthly Book Club, takes classes with the rabbi to learn all the things about Judaism that she never knew growing up in a Reform congregation in the South. She is proud to be a member of this dynamic synagogue!

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