I am a poet, essayist, and children’s book author, passionate about researching and writing about my Iraqi Jewish roots. Words are what I love to conjure over a pot, mixed with garlic, onion and ginger, to feed my husband, four boys (and dog).
just like her Nana Aziza. When Shoham
and her family must leave Iraq, they are allowed
to take only one suitcase each.
in Sydney Australia which Amira enters with her
nana, cooking up something different with
“strange spices that smell like other lands”.
But everyone says, “This is not a cholent!”,
and Amira begins to doubt whether entering
“different” was such a good idea.
does look back—and we readers are grateful that
we get to be part of her Judeo-Arabic speaking
Iraqi Jewish family.
News
20Feb
The Poetry of Exile and Return with JIMENA
21 February, Wednesday. The Poetry of Exile and Return – Ty Alhadeff, director of education at JIMENA, and Sarah Sassoon, author of “Shoham’s Bangle”.. Read More →
04Jan
Clinging to My Grandmother’s Afsa
My Iraqi Jewish amulet represents my Mizrachi ancestor’s love and wisdom. It’s my history and memory. Read this personal essay about clinging to.. Read More →
07Dec
Stories of Children from Baghdad – Harif: Association of Jews from the MENA
December 12, Tuesday, 2023 – The story of the exodus of the Jews from Arab countries is at last beginning to be told.. Read More →