Book Review: Not From Here

Not From Here, the Song of America is a powerful book by author Leah Lax relating the amazing true stories of immigrants and refugees who fled to the United States from around the world. It relates their struggles and determination to make a new life in America despite obstacles and hardship. These are the stories of immigrants prepared to risk everything in order to survive, never giving up hope of achieving the American dream. The book will be reviewed by the author, who, in writing the book, uncovered the lost history of her own Jewish family and discovered a larger context for her own family story. The stories in this book demonstrate that all Americans are also immigrants.

Leah Lax joined the Lubavitcher Hasidim at age 16. She entered an arranged marriage at age 19 and lived in the Hasidic community with her husband and seven children for 30 years. In 2002, she left that community to lead a secular life and live openly as a gay woman. She later graduated from the University of Houston with an MFA in Creative Writing. She had earlier completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

This event is open to the entire congregation, and refreshments will be served.

There is no charge, but we ask that you RSVP online or by contacting the Sisterhood office at 713.529.5771, ext. 233 or sishood@emanuelhouston.org.