Esther Becker will present the annual Women’s Academy of Jewish Studies women’s book brunch on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Congregation Chofetz Chayim.
She found this year’s book by a happy accident.
“Several weeks ago in Jerusalem, Rabbi [Israel Becker] and I were searching for a specific bookshop with the hope of finding a book that could capture the hearts of Tucson women,” she says. “We made a mistake and walked into the wrong bookshop. There we found an old paperback copy of ‘The Scent of Snowflowers,’” by R.L. Klein. “I knew this was it.”
The World War II memoir is a chronicle of faith, hope and survival in war-ravaged Budapest in 1943, a tribute to the valor of the “Righteous Gentile” who was Klein’s savior.
“This book was so intriguing and well-written that I felt like a fly on the wall from the first five pages — watching and absorbing every scene,” says Becker. “Once I bought the book, I couldn’t put it down — I was totally engrossed.”
Space is limited to 100 participants. Registration is at 10:45 a.m. and the brunch begins at 11 a.m. The $36 cost includes brunch and the book, which is available in advance. To reserve a copy, call Becker at 591-7680.
