Chai Society at Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore hosts renowned author

The Chai Society of Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore hosted a Shabbat Summer Service, followed by a special Oneg Shabbat, a meal following services. During the event, Jeff Newman, president of the Chai Society, introduced renowned author Helen Schary Motro, who shared readings from her latest book, “The Right to Happiness, After All They Went Through.”

Schary Motro, an American writer and attorney residing in Israel, has a vast background. She taught law at Tel Aviv University, served as a columnist for the Jerusalem Post, and contributed to leading newspapers worldwide, including The New York Times. Her latest work, a fictional collection of short stories, explores the lives of Holocaust survivors and their children after the war, delving into their responses to trauma and the challenges of post-war life.

The book’s stories are deeply human, reflecting universal themes of love, loneliness, acceptance, and belonging. Professor Michael Berenbaum, a former director of the U.S. Holocaust Museum, has drawn parallels between the characters in her book and the reactions of Jews worldwide following the events of Oct. 7. The stories highlight both suffering and resilience, offering a poignant look at how individuals cope with tragedy.

The collection features a diverse cast of characters, from young girls in New York City uncovering their parents’ secrets to older survivors adjusting to life in a new society. The narratives are marked by clear, accessible language and unexpected, intriguing plots, capturing the complexity of post-trauma experiences.

After the reading, Schary Motro engaged in a brief question-and-answer session, where attendees had the opportunity to purchase copies of the book. The author discussed her work and its impact, allowed everyone eager to delve into the compelling collection of stories.