Book Review: “The Light In Hidden Places”

Sisterhood hosts bi-monthly book reviews throughout the year that are open to the public. May’s book review will be led by our congregant, Shelly Cyprus.

Please Note: This book review will be held by Zoom, and the information to access will be emailed ahead of time to those who register.

A summary of our May book selection can be found below:

It is 1943 and for four years, 16- year-old Stefania was working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemysl, Poland, weaving her way into their lives and hearts. She even made a promise of betrothal to one of their sons Izio which had to be kept secret since Stefania is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish.

Everything changes when the German Army invades Przemysl, The Diamants are forced into the ghetto leaving Stefania alone in an occupied city, the only person to care for Helena, her six-year-old sister. And then comes the knock at the door. Izio’s brother Max has jumped from a train headed to a concentration camp. Stefania and Helena make the extraordinary decision to hide Max , and eventually 12 more Jews, too. Then they must wait, every day, for the next knock at the door, the one that will mean death. When the knock finally comes, it is two SS officers, requisitioning Stefania’s house for the German Army. With two Nazis living below, 13 Jews hidden above, and a little sister by her side, Stefania has one more excruciating choice to make.

Sharon Cameron brings her extraordinary storytelling prowess to this depiction of real-life Righteous Gentiles Stefania and Helena Podgorska. This gripping page-turner explores the momentous decisions people make in the most desperate of circumstances and how one person truly can change the world.

To help us plan for our book reviews and to receive communications about future book reviews, we ask that you kindly RSVP by Wednesday, May 11, by completing the registration form online or by contacting the Sisterhood at sishood@emanuelhouston.org or 713.529.5771, ext. 233.