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
04Dec
Teaching Our Children Stories of the Jews of the Middle East and North Africa
‘This Is Not a Cholent’: Stories of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa – review Very grateful for this wonderful review.. Read More →
08Sep
More than Apple & Honey: The Rosh Hashana Seder
I’m excited to be presenting Iraqi Jewish food customs – simanim for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah with Harif on Tuesday, 17th.. Read More →
14Jul
My Grandmother’s Cheese Sambusek
Recently I taught a Food & Memory Writing Workshop. I based it on my grandmother’s cheese sambusek. The memories it evoked are of.. Read More →