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Author Talk with Ronni Diamondstein

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Why She Can’t Wait for you to Stop By the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival! 

By Maggie Mae Pup Reporter

I’m a dog–a very special dog. I’m a black-and-white, Toy Parti Poodle. My name is Maggie Mae, and I was the Inside Press Roving Pup Reporter for many years. With a nose for news, I gave the dog’s eye view of Chappaqua and beyond. I love to talk to authors so I’m excited to interview my mom Ronni Diamondstein about her debut picture book Jackie and the Books She Loved, and her experience at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

This is your second year participating in the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. What is it like?

As someone who was involved in the festival from the very beginning and having been a board member, it was a dream come true to be there last year with my first book and to be back again this year. Last September I was there with pre-pub copies of my book that debuted in November 2023. As a volunteer and board member in the past I knew how well the authors were treated and it was so great to experience it myself. I was thrilled to meet young readers and to see former students and colleagues, and friends come from far and near for a signed copy of the book. I’m looking forward to meeting more readers this year.

Why did you write Jackie and the Books She Loved and who is the audience?

I was always inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the former first lady of the United States and wanted to tell a new and different story about her for kids. While young children are the audience for this book, older children can use it as a resource in studying famous women. I am also finding that so many adults love this book. I’ve signed a lot of copies to grandparents who grew up knowing about both President Kennedy and Jackie. As they wrote in the book’s review in Kirkus magazine, “History fans and book lovers of all ages will adore this.”

What is the book about and are there any dogs in the book?

Jackie and the Books She Loved is about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and how her love of reading and writing were important in her life–from writing poems and stories as a child to her career as a journalist, and on to her work as a book editor having edited nearly 100 books for people of all ages. As for dogs, Jackie loved all animals, especially dogs and horses. As a child she wrote stories about her blasé black poodle General de Gaulle and George Woofty, Esq., a spirited terrier. You can read about them in the book.

Art by Bats Langley Copyright:Sky Pony Press

You’re a retired teacher and librarian. Any advice for kids, teachers, and parents on how to use the book?It’s great to read a book purely for pleasure, and I hope young people will feel that way when they read Jackie and the Books She Loved.  You can go to my website to find follow up interactive activities like BE A JOURNALIST LIKE JACKIE and BE AN INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE JACKIE. Teachers can use the book to launch Readers’ and Writers’ Workshops. All can be found in the EXTRAS section of ronnidiamondstein.com.

You can find Ronni signing copies of Jackie and the Books She Loved in the Courtyard of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, September 28, 10AM-4PM at the Chappaqua Train Station. She’ll be alongside Stephanie Calmenson, the author of lots of dog books including her latest Oodles of Poodles and Doodles and May I Pet Your Do? and beloved author Laura Numeroff of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fame who also wrote a dog book, If You Give a Dog A Donut.

Ronni Diamondstein          Randi Childs Photography

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Mae Pup Reporter has lived in Chappaqua since 2008. For more about her go to ronnidiamondstein.com 

 

 

Holocaust Second Generation Survivors Join HHREC Speakers Bureau

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The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center  (HHREC) of White Plains, NY has announced Max Friedman and Renee Pessin have joined their Speakers Bureau.

Max Friedman’s parents were Polish/Jewish Holocaust survivors who met in Sweden (where he and his sister were born) after their liberation from Bergen-Belsen. Friedman tells the story of how his parents survived five years of ghettos, slave labor and concentration camps and the loss of everyone and everything they had ever loved. Emigrating to the U.S. in 1952, his parents spoke very little about their past – though their physical and psychological wounds were apparent every day to Max and his older sister.

Friedman has worked as a journalist, publicist, corporate editorial director and memoir ghostwriter. His family memoir, Painful Joy: A Holocaust Family Memoir tells the story of a journey that began when he was nearly 70 years old. Early in his career, he worked in  journalism and has had articles featured in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and TV Guide. He also served as Director of Editorial Services at PBS’s Channel 13 and as unit publicist for Bill Moyers Journal. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President, Communications at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Max holds a BA in English and Asian Studies from Columbia College and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

Renee Bronner Pessin, a Connecticut resident, is a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. Pessin’s mother Helen was the only survivor of her immediate and extended family of more than 50 people In Poland. Her father Sam, along with one brother were the only survivors of their large immediate and extended family. Pessin feels it is more urgent than ever to share her parent’s story, especially to community listeners, to ensure that history does not repeat itself. She is able to do so through excerpts from her mother’s video testimony to the Shoah Foundation and family pictures saved through the horrors of the Holocaust. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Pessin has worked as a registered nurse, editorial associate for scientific journals and most recently, for over 20 years, as a freelance biomedical grant and manuscript editor.

For more information about Friedman, Pessin, and other HHREC GenerationsForward Speakers, visit their website at HHRECNY.org  

About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in White Plains New York that serves schools, synagogues, colleges, churches and civic centers in Westchester and the greater Hudson Valley area. The HHREC Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. HHREC works with teachers and students to help schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, the HHREC has brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations to more than 3,000 teachers, and through them to thousands of students. For more information visit www.hhrecny.org call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org

 

The 48th Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival Brought Community Together in Both Rain and Shine

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The 48th Annual Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival was held on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, New York. The festival was presented by The Westchester Jewish Council and in cooperation with Westchester County Parks as part of their 2024 Cultural Heritage Festivals.

Although the day began with torrential downpours, this did not stop the performers and vendors from performing and setting up, nor did it stop the crowds from visiting. By mid-afternoon, the rain had stopped and the attendees were able to sing, dance and shop. This year’s performers included The Levins, Ohh-Lam Collective, SIX13, Elijah and the Not-For-Prophets and Kol Hazzanim Kumsitz – Cantors of Westchester. There were over 50 vendors, a WonderSparks Puppet Show, Israeli Dancing with Leng, Juggler Ned Gelfars and more.

In addition this year, we had a special presentation by Executive Board Member Stu Seltzer to musician John Ondrasik who received the Alfred and Constance Weissman COURAGE award. “John Ondrasik is not a silent bystander and the Jewish world is better off because of that. Alfred and Connie Weissman were never silent bystanders and were always strong supporters of Jewish causes and American causes. Alfred was a decorated US Army veteran who served in World War 2 and remained supportive and involved in the US Army 10th Mountain Division. Alfred and Connie were also strong supporters of many Jewish organizations including AIPAC, Friends of the IDF, UJA Federation and many others.

The Westchester community was blessed to have their leadership and we are blessed to have their family members carry on the tradition of “not being silent bystanders” and being strong supporters and leaders of Jewish and Israeli causes. We are honored to present the Alfred and Constance Weissman COURAGE award to John Ondrasik.” This free event is always a community favorite and it did not disappoint this year.

News courtesy of the Westchester Jewish Council

 

Agi Keleti: The Jewish Olympian’s Story of Survival and Triumph – Exhibit and Speaker Michael Gyory on July 18

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On Thursday, July 18th the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) in partnership with the Desmond-Fish Public Library in Garrison, NY will host a talk and presentation on the oldest living Olympian Champion and Holocaust survivor. Agi Keleti: The Jewish Olympian’s Story of Survival and Triumph will be presented by HHREC Board Chairperson and GenerationsForward Speaker Michael Gyory.

Born in Budapest, Hungary on January 9, 1921, Keleti’s journey is a tale of courage, survival and historic accomplishments. She survived the Nazis and outlasted the Communists to become the greatest female Jewish Olympian of all time winning 10 medals in women’s gymnastics for her native Hungary. The program will also feature an exhibition that illustrates the story of a young girl’s survival during the Holocaust and drive to leave a legacy of courage, strength and will to win. This exhibit of 6 individual panels chronicle her life story.

“I am looking forward to sharing the amazing story of survival and success of my father’s cousin.” said Gyory. “With the upcoming Olympic Games this summer, I hope to shine a light on how she set an example for generations of aspiring athletes to pursue their dreams and overcome any hardship or hurdles they meet along the way.”

The program will commence at 6:30 pm, and the event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information visit the HHREC events page at hhrecny.org 

Global Grains: Celebrating Bread from Africa to the Americas Event to Take Place on July 13 at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow

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Cooking demonstrations, food trucks, hands-on activities to highlight the experience

Sleepy Hollow, NY  – Bread enthusiasts and culinary adventurers are in for a treat at Global Grains: Celebrating Bread from Africa to the Americas on Saturday, July 13, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow.

The celebration will showcase the rich and diverse bread-making traditions from around the globe, offering visitors the opportunity to meet local bakers, watch cooking demonstrations, indulge in delicious samples, and engage in hands-on craft activities.

Bread-making demonstrations will feature a variety of cuisines and techniques. René León, chef and owner of Leon’s Latin Café in Thornwood, will showcase empanadas and quinoa crisps. Pam Nyambi will demonstrate the preparation of akkara fritters. Buffalo Jump NYC will showcase Indigenous frybread, while Hudson Oven of Croton-on-Hudson will re-create ship’s biscuits from the 18th century. Voila Afrique will offer samples of eba, introducing visitors to this African staple’s flavors.

Representatives from Tarrytown’s Warner Library will be on site to lead engaging bilingual English and Spanish story time sessions. Visitors will be able to get creative with hands-on activities such as salt dough and paste paper. Tours of the manor house and grist mill will be available throughout the day.

Food and beverage options include beer from Montclair Brewery and sandwiches from Kinwich.

Admission to Global Grains is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and young adults 18-25. Children 17 and under and Historic Hudson Valley members attend free. Tickets are available for purchase online at hudsonvalley.org.

About Philipsburg Manor
In 1750, Philipsburg Manor was home to 23 enslaved individuals known to have lived and labored there. It is the country’s first living history museum that focuses on the history of northern slavery.

Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., two miles north of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Information: 914-366-6900, www.hudsonvalley.org.

About Historic Hudson Valley
Historic Hudson Valley, Westchester County’s largest cultural organization, educates and entertains more than 325,000 visitors a year through school programs, tours of five National Historic Landmarks, and large-scale popular entertainment events like The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze and Spirits of Sleepy Hollow Country. From its lower Hudson Valley base of operations, the organization focuses on delivering quality educational and entertaining experiences, striking a balance between tradition and vision, from preserving the past, to contextualizing it for 21st-century audiences. For information: www.hudsonvalley.org