Author: Shifra Shomron
· Publisher: Mazo Publishers, © 2007
· Paperback: 185 pages
· Publisher: Mazo Publishers, © 2007
· Paperback: 185 pages
As the 6th memorial anniversary marking the pain of Israel's dispossession from Gush Katif quickly approaches, it is fitting that I introduce you to the first published novel leading up to the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from the Jewish Gush Katif communities in the Gaza Strip, summer 2005, by an Israeli teenager, Shifra Shomron.
"Grains Of Sand: The Fall Of Neve Dekalim" is told through the vantage point of teenager Efrat Yefet, a high school student living under the dual threat of Arab attacks and the Israeli government's 2005 Disengagement plan to destroy her town and adjacent communities. She, along with family, friends, and neighbors, try to lead ordinary lives as the ever-encroaching conflict gets closer, and the whole community joins efforts to save their beautiful towns from destruction."Book Review:
"We are indebted to Shifra Shomron ... she retells the personalized story of the human wealth that was dealt a mortal blow when the Gush Katif communities were evacuated and their Jewish inhabitants expelled."
Yisrael Medad,
Information Resource Director,
Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Jerusalem
"... From this horrible tragedy [of expulsion], they are attempting to survive in the face of government hypocrisy, indifference and emotional and financial abuse. One of the very bright spots in this bleak picture is Shifra Shomron, a very talented writer whose lyrical style and depth are rare in one so young. I wish her great success."
Dr. Miriam Adahan,
Prolific author and founder of EMETT
(Emotional Maturity Established Through Torah)
"...politicians, social scientists, and other good Jews from across the Israeli political spectrum would do well to read this book. It will help all of us understand the frustrated thoughts and feelings, the tragedy of a lost and crushed future, and the dashed hopes of victims of circumstances beyond their control."
David Grossman,
Owner of The Jewish Internet,
with 40 websites and 136 popular forums
Taken with permission from Jewish Reviews * Jewish literature and software
Shifra Shomron is an American-born writer who lived with her family in Neve Dekalim from 1992 until the highly disputed, tension-filled Israeli Disengagement from Gaza in 2005. She loved her life and thrived in Gush Katif, Israel where she spent her childhood through teenage years.You may learn more about the author by visiting her website here.
Shifra graduated from the Israeli government accelerated academic college "Excellence Program" and holds a B.Ed. in English and Bible Studies. Shifra explains she went into education in order to help revive a new generation of thinking youth, who are ideological and connected to their Jewish heritage. Her goal is to help strengthen the many people who have become discouraged through the lack of leadership, and the many difficulties Israel is facing through her writings and in the classroom setting.
Shifra and her family now reside in one of several temporary caravilla sites established by the Israeli government for Gush Katif expellees. She is the second of seven children.
Shoshana Damari - Anemones
Note:
Everyone here at "Real Americans Defend Israel" wish Shifra great success and joy throughout her life; may she be an example to her students and family, as she continues to grow, like the flowers in the fields of the Land of Israel - a Land she loves with all her heart and soul.
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