Hanna Perlstein Marcus's Blog, page 10
January 24, 2017
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2017
On Friday, January 27, we will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day designated by the United Nations as a remembrance day in memory of the liberation of Auschwitz on this date in 1945.
I don’t usually take selfies, but I thought that it was important to raise my hands and lend my voice to those upstanders around the world who are declaring, “We Remember,” to make sure the world does not cease to apply its diligence to assure that atrocities like those of the Holocaust, now seventy-two years ago, do not happen again. Although anti-semitism is on the rise and indiscriminate slaughter of innocent men, women, and children continues in places around the world (Syria comes to mind), we cannot turn our heads to the plight of those who are in the crossfire of violence. We, unfortunately, can never give up the fight against anti-semitism, racism, or sexism no matter how complacent we may become.
Thanks to the World Jewish Congress for taking the lead in the “I Remember” initiative.
January 2, 2017
New Year 2017
Melody Beattie, the familiar author and self-help guru said, “The new year stands before us like a chapter in a book, ready to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”
Two years ago, I wrote that I had no New Year’s resolutions. I didn’t feel the need to adhere to any strict promises or goals I had previously set for myself. No pressure. Just be. It was a generally relaxing and unstructured year. Just writing away.
Funny how things change in just a two-year time span. This year, 2017, I have set forth some lofty goals for myself and I am bound to keep them. Finally, my follow up book to Sidonia’s Thread is completed, out in “advance reader copy,” garnering some very favorable reviews, and almost ready for final publication over the next month or two. I am bound to achieving my goal of final publication this year. No obstacles in my way. Surviving Remnant has a good chance of captivating the conscience of the reading public and I can’t wait!
Thanks for sticking with me over the past two years as I perfect my craft. I won’t let you down!
December 23, 2016
Preparing for Hanukkah and Christmas
This year the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle and Christmas Eve fall on the same night. A rare occurrence. Although it may create stress for many holiday shoppers, the timing coincidence reminds us of the spirit of giving, love, and hope that the season brings to all of us… of all faiths.
I have carved out Hanukkah as the one time of year that I can call my own. I invite my friends and family to come and share a meal, light the candles, and sing songs of miracles. This year will be no different than the past twenty. Although one difference , since I have been studying the ukelele, will be my instrumental accompaniment to some of the songs.
Edna Ferber once said, “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” People of all faiths can enjoy it’s joy and exuberance.
As we enter an unpredictable world, let us remember Robert Altinger’s words: “The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.”
I wish you and those you love a fulfilling holiday season.
December 12, 2016
Enter the $500 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
WHAT: The Kindle Book Review: The Kindle Book Review’s Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
WHEN: Dec. 12-26, 2016.
HOW: Scroll through the amazing covers to find Sidonia’s Thread and other favorite books and enter the Rafflecopter form at the bottom.
October 12, 2016
Emanuel Synagogue
Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Hanna will appear at The Emanuel Synagogue’s Jewish Authors Series on Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 pm. Koret Social Hall, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT. Two attendees will win an Advance Reader Copy of the author’s new book, Surviving Remnant! More info
May 25, 2016
Special Promotion for Sidonia’s Thread
In honor of Memorial Day, the day on which we pay our respect and extend our gratitude to the soldiers who gave their lives for their country in all our past and current conflicts, the Kindle version of Sidonia’s Thread will be on a free promotion for five full days, from May 29 – June 2, 2016!
This is the longest free promotion for Sidonia’s Thread ever and is the last chance to obtain it free prior to the sequel, Surviving Remnant, expected for a Fall, 2016 launch.
Get it here
May 5, 2016
Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day 2016
The years go by so fast. It is hard to believe that World War II ended seventy-one years ago. Yom HaShoah is a day that I can light a candle and remember my grandparents, aunts, uncle and cousins who perished much too soon during the Holocaust. A proud family lost to unabashed evil. For those who find it hard to believe that the Holocaust actually occurred, take a look at my Uncle Dezso’s Prisoner Identification Card, Prisoner Number 57569 at the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. He was only forty-four when this profile was compiled. His appearance and the miscellaneous information about him were so detailed down to his missing eight teeth. He died soon later at the age of forty-five due to “heart failure.” Even though I never met my Uncle Dezso, I mourn for him on his Yahrzeit date, one of the few I know, and today. However, I think of him often.
Dezso Perlstein’s Prisoner Identification Card is courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s International Tracing Service files.
March 1, 2016
A Nostalgic Visit to Springfield’s Forest Park
I will be visiting the area where I spent my teenage years…the Forest Park area of Springfield, Massachusetts. Many of the old synagogues in that city have since been converted to other uses, but some of the Jewish residents of the Forest Park area have managed to retain a place where they can gather for Shabbat services, enjoy each others company, and discuss topics of Jewish interest.
Looking forward to joining them for an intimate Shabbat service, dinner, and discussion of Sidonia’s Thread on Friday evening, March 4, 2016 in the former Kodimoh Synagogue sanctuary, 124 Sumner Avenue.
Sidonia-s-Thread-An-Evening-with-Author-Hanna-P
February 13, 2016
Forest Park Minyan
March 4, 2016–8 pm
Hanna will be joining the members of the Forest Park Minyan, a satellite of Congregation B’nai Torah, for an intimate Shabbat service, dinner, and discussion ofSidonia’s Thread in the former Kodimoh Synagogue sanctuary, 124 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA.
January 27, 2016
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 2016
It is hard to believe that seventy-one years have passed since the liberation of Auschwitz. My mother and her sister, Laura, spent several months there before they were transported to several other concentration camps. Although they were unaware of it at the time, their entire family was exterminated on the very first day of their arrival. Only they were chosen to live as slave laborers, and just my mother, Sidonia, ultimately survived the war.
It was a lonely, somewhat reclusive life for Sidonia in her new country, yet she was able to display her masterful talent with a needle and thread and become the personal dressmaker for hundreds of members of her community. My new book, currently titled Surviving Remnant, still to be published, describes her life and mine among the refugees we encountered upon our arrival in America–a memorable era in our lives.
My mother’s identity card, upon leaving the Bergen Belsen Displaced Persons Camp, and boarding the ship to America.
