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*Books & Biscotti (Book Review) with Tina Urman

Thursday, December 15, 2022 21 Kislev 5783

1:00 PM - 2:30 PMOnline

Temple Emanu-El is pleased to welcome Book Reviewer
Tina Urman to discuss 
 
What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad

Registration is CLOSED.
PLEASE NOTE: Temple Emanu-El reviews are live and not recorded.

Free for Temple Members | $10 for guests
Zoom link and password will be emailed after you register

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad
 
More bodies have washed up on the shores of a small island. Another overfilled, ill-equipped, dilapidated ship has sunk under the weight of its too many passengers: Syrians, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Palestinians, all of them desperate to escape their untenable lives back in their homelands. But nine-year old Amir, a Syrian boy, miraculously survived the passage and is soon rescued by Vänna. Vänna is a teenage girl, who despite being native to the island, experiences her own sense of homelessness in a place and among people she has come to disdain. Though Vänna and Amir are complete strangers, though they don’t speak a common language, Vänna is determined to do whatever it takes to save the boy.
In alternating chapters, we learn about Amir’s life and how he came to be on the boat, and we follow him and the girl as they make their way toward a vision of safety. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not just the story of two children finding their way through a hostile world, it is the story of our collective moment in this time: of empathy and indifference, of hope and despair—and the way each of those things can blind us to reality, or guide us to a better one.
This is a profoundly moving novel that looks at the global refugee crisis through the eyes of a child.

 

Tina Urman brings a creative approach to learning by integrating her knowledge of art and literature with a teaching background. For many years she has been a volunteer gallery guide at the Art Gallery of Ontario and continues to teach courses at the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies. In addition she presents literary reviews to various private and public groups both within and outside of the city.

Tina further combines her skill and passion for art and literature with Novel Inspirations Tours to New York City at which time she leads groups and provides the opportunity to explore the various museums and galleries while making literary connections to the art.

The importance of charity work is always part of Tina’s focus from raising funds for Breast Cancer Research to supporting Save a Child’s Heart and One Family Fund in Israel. Her most recent incentive was to begin Shop to Share a way in which to help women and their children escaping abusive relationships as a result of Covid with much needed food and supplies.

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[For donations (not registrations) - "Type": General Donation / Dedication: "In honour of" Books & Biscotti] 
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If you have any questions, please contact Carli at carli@templeemanuel.ca or leave a message at 416-449-3880 ext. 215; your call will be returned within one business day.

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Registration is closed. Don't miss our next review! 
January 12 - Cathy Tile will review The Island of the Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. CLICK HERE to register.

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Sat, April 20 2024 12 Nisan 5784