New Novel on the Jewish Community in the City of Rhodes Before WWII

Springfield, MO – Just released from Hadassah Word Press publishers is We are in Exile/Estamos En Galut a novella about the decline of the ancient Jewish community in the city Rhodes during the 1930s that was destroyed by the Holocaust. Intended for young adults, but suitable for adults, this novel follows Dora and her sister Hannah as they become young adults in the traditional community of the Rhodelisi. Hannah, the eldest, has dreams of traveling to exotic Atlanta, Georgia, USA with her friend to find jobs and live with their elder brothers. These brothers had already left to send money home to support their families. Through Alejandro, the youngest of the five children, the reader learns about the differences between the Jews and the Christians living in Rhodes. As their grandmother Hannah is forced to stretch the household funds farther and farther, Moses and Miriam, the children’s parents, come to the heart-wrenching decision that they must leave the island and emigrate to America. While they take Grandmother Hannah with them, the rest of their family stays behind.

This book includes Ladino, the language of the Jews of Rhodes, song lyrics and sayings to add to the flavor of the story. Traditional practices and Jewish customs are also presented to help keep the lost community alive.

• Book title: We are in Exile/ Estamos en Galut
• Publisher: Hadassah Word Press
• Number of page: 128
• ISBN: 978-3-639-79487-8
• Price: €10.80 ($12.50)

About the Author

Mara W. Cohen Ioannides has a doctorate in Jewish Studies from The Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership, an MA in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a BS in Computer Science from Columbia University. She writes both fiction and non-fiction and has directed a documentary all about Jewish subjects. This is her second novel examining the Jewish communities in Greece. Her first, A Shout in the Sunshine, was a National Jewish Book Award finalist. Originally from Ewing, NJ, where she graduated Ewing High School, she currently lives in Springfield, MO, with her husband and daughter and teaches at Missouri State University. She is a member of Temple Israel, Springfield, MO and is the president of the Midwest Jewish Studies Association. Mara is available to do book talks both in person and via Skype.

Contact

To learn more about this book or author, please contact

Mara W. Cohen Ioannides
English Department
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO 65897
417-836-4163
maraioannides@missouristate.edu