We’re pleased to share the release of our new book, Two Travelers, Two Isles, One Story of Discovery: A Journey through Ireland and Great Britain in Search of History, People, and Culture.
This project grew out of a long journey across Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland — a journey that surprised us at every turn. From Viking lanes and illuminated manuscripts to Roman walls, medieval fortresses, ancient landscapes, and Scotland’s unforgettable August festivals, each place revealed stories that stayed with us long after we returned home.
The book brings together history, culture, personal reflections, and the small moments that make travel meaningful. It’s written for readers who enjoy exploring the world through layered narratives — part travelogue, part cultural observation, part discovery.
If you’re curious to see where this journey led and what we found along the way, the paperback is now available on Amazon.
Let the Isles call to you. Let the stories pull you in. Link to our book:https://amzn.to/4filtSg
Please join us for Irene Shaland’s Zoom lecture, “The Secular Jew Emerges: Understanding Kafka and His World,” on May 19th Virtual Event Hosted by BZD (Baltimore Zionist District organization)
Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19th at 11:00 AM EST, USA
The Secular Jew Emerges: Understanding Kafka and His World
Franz Kafka stands at the crossroads of one of the most fascinating transformations in modern Jewish history: the rise of the secular, urban, German‑speaking Jew in Central Europe. His life and work illuminate a world where Jewish identity was both ever‑present and almost unspeakable — a tension that shaped an entire generation.
This lecture explores the deep, thousand‑year Jewish presence in the Czech lands — Bohemia, Moravia, and Prague — and the dramatic cultural shift that produced a new kind of Jew at the turn of the 20th century. By the late 1800s, most Czech Jews identified with German culture, lived in cosmopolitan cities, and navigated a complex dual identity that was both empowering and precarious.
At the center of this presentation stands Franz Kafka (1883–1924): born Jewish, raised Jewish, and yet famously silent about Judaism in his fiction. And still, his diaries, letters, and private reflections reveal a man who wrestled intensely with what it meant to be a Jew in modern Europe. He studied Yiddish and Hebrew, immersed himself in Jewish theater, and sensed — with uncanny clarity — the catastrophe that would soon engulf European Jewry.
In this presentation, we will explore:
Kafka in Prague — the Jewish city that shaped him: Prague arts and culture
Prague in Kafka — the shadows of identity, alienation, and belonging that permeate his writing
The paradox of Jewish presence and Jewish silence in his literary world
How Kafka’s Jewishness influenced his imagination, even when unspoken
Why Kafka foresaw the coming destruction of European Jewry long before others did
Together, we will confront the central question: If Kafka had not been born and raised as a Jew, would he have become Kafka?
This is a journey into identity, memory, and the Jewish soul of one of the greatest modern writers — a story as relevant today as it was a century ago.
Please join us for Irene Shaland’s free Zoom lecture on April 29th
Virtual Event Hosted by New City Library, New York
Date and Time: April 29th at 7:00 PM EST, USA
Revisiting Scandinavia Post-October 7th
Join Irene Shaland, for a meaningful virtual journey through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While known for stunning fjords and modern design, these nations hold a wealth of compelling, often hidden, Jewish stories that resonate deeply with our shared heritage.
This is a chance to connect with the past and learn about the disturbing present: We will delve into the vibrant Jewish communities that once thrived in the region, examine the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and gain insight into contemporary Jewish life in Scandinavia. This exclusive presentation offers a unique and personal window into the rich tapestry of Scandinavia, seen through a distinctly Jewish lens.
Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.
Meet Jackie the Penguin, the funniest little explorer to ever waddle across Australia!
This charming chapter‑style adventure blends real animal facts, laugh‑out‑loud moments, and kid‑friendly learning — perfect for ages 6–9 who can’t get enough of kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, and all things wild.
Parents and grandparents say their kids can’t put it down — and love discovering new animals along the way.
Give your young reader a story that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and makes reading feel like an adventure.
⭐ LIMITED‑TIME PROMO!
For the next few days, the eBook edition is just $0.99 (regular price $4.99). A perfect chance to grab this fun, educational animal adventure at a great price.
Please save the dates for Irene’s upcoming virtual lectures:
New City Library New York, April 29th at 7:00 PM
Revisiting Scandinavia Post-October 7th
Join Irene Shaland, for a meaningful virtual journey through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While known for stunning fjords and modern design, these nations hold a wealth of compelling, often hidden, Jewish stories that resonate deeply with our shared heritage.
This is a chance to connect with the past and learn about the disturbing present: We will delve into the vibrant Jewish communities that once thrived in the region, examine the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and gain insight into contemporary Jewish life in Scandinavia. This exclusive presentation offers a unique and personal window into the rich tapestry of Scandinavia, seen through a distinctly Jewish lens.
On Tuesday, May 19th, at 11:00 AM, the Baltimore Zionist District organization will host Irene’s newest lecture centered on the great modernist writer Franz Kafka.
Emergence of a New Phenomenon: The Secular Jew — Understanding Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka stands at the crossroads of one of the most fascinating transformations in modern Jewish history: the rise of the secular, urban, German‑speaking Jew in Central Europe. His life and work illuminate a world where Jewish identity was both ever‑present and almost unspeakable — a tension that shaped an entire generation.
Join Irene in this journey into identity, memory, and the Jewish soul of one of the greatest modern writers — a story as relevant today as it was a century ago.
Irene’s new lecture explores the deep, thousand‑year Jewish presence in the Czech lands — Bohemia, Moravia, and Prague — and the dramatic cultural shift that produced a new kind of Jew at the turn of the 20th century. By the late 1800s, most Czech Jews identified with German culture, lived in cosmopolitan cities, and navigated a complex dual identity that was both empowering and precarious. At the center of this story stands Franz Kafka (1883–1924): born Jewish, raised Jewish, and yet famously silent about Judaism in his fiction. And still, his diaries, letters, and private reflections reveal a man who wrestled intensely with what it meant to be a Jew in modern Europe. He studied Yiddish and Hebrew, immersed himself in Jewish theater, and sensed — with uncanny clarity — the catastrophe that would soon engulf European Jewry.
In this presentation, we will explore:
Kafka in Prague — the Jewish city that shaped him
Prague in Kafka — the shadows of identity, alienation, and belonging that permeate his writing
The paradox of Jewish presence and Jewish silence in his literary world
How Kafka’s Jewishness influenced his imagination, even when unspoken
Why Kafka foresaw the coming destruction of European Jewry long before others did
Together, we will confront the central question: If Kafka had not been born and raised as a Jew, would he have become Kafka?
Registration information will be announced at a later date.
Jackie the Penguin is back—and this time, the journey is heading Down Under!
After years of exploring the globe, Jackie’s latest journey, “A Penguin’s Travel Journal: Australia,” is her biggest yet. Designed specifically as a chapter book for growing readers, this 87-page story is packed with exciting leaps from one adventure to the next and filled with charming illustrations.
Is your young reader ready to level up? Give them a story they’ll love to finish.
See what’s inside the new book.
Book Description:
Pack your curiosity — Jackie the Penguin is heading to Australia, and this adventure is anything but ordinary. With a hand-drawn wish list tucked under one wing, Jackie dreams of looking into the eyes of four remarkable animals found nowhere else on Earth: the speedy emu, the mysterious platypus, the powerful kangaroo, and the sleepy koala. But checking off this list won’t be easy. Each animal has its own secrets, surprises, and challenges waiting to be discovered.
As Jackie travels across forests, rivers, grasslands, and eucalyptus groves, young readers uncover playful animal facts woven into the story. Why does a platypus have a bill like a duck? How high can a kangaroo leap? What makes a koala’s day so… slow? Every page invites kids to wonder, observe, and learn.
Perfect for families who love exploring together, this book blends adventure with real science in a way that sparks questions long after the last page. Dive in and see which animal Jackie meets first — and whether that wish list will be completed after all.
Upcoming Virtual Lecture:How the Jews of Iberia Changed the Course of World History
Join Qesher for an extraordinary virtual journey into Portugal’s largely unknown, yet utterly fascinating, Jewish history. Acclaimed art and travel writer Irene Shaland, an internationally published historian and author, will transport you through time, from Roman and Visigoth eras to the brilliant Age of Discoveries, and right up to today’s blossoming community. Discover the resilient spirit and secret traditions that survived centuries of Inquisition and persecution, making Portugal a unique safe haven during World War II.
Would you like to know more about the specific dates and times for this virtual event, or perhaps details about Irene Shaland’s books on the topic?
Date: Thursday, January 29 – 3 pm Eastern Time
Duration: 65-75 minutes for presentation, 90 minutes total with Q&A
Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland and New York, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.
Upcoming Virtual Lecture: Tuesday, January 27, 11 am Eastern Time
Event Organizer: BZD
Event Presenter: Jewish historian and author of the popular Shaland’s Portugal book series, Irene Shaland
Few people realize that, during the darkest years of the Holocaust, neutral Portugal became one of Europe’s last lifelines. As Nazi occupation spread across the continent, thousands of desperate refugees poured into Lisbon — a city suddenly transformed into a tense crossroads of diplomats, fugitives, and international spies.
More than 43,000 refugees reached Portugal during the war. Many first arrived in Lisbon before being dispersed to towns such as Cascais, Estoril, Ericeira, and Vilar Formoso. All of this unfolded under the authoritarian Estado Novo regime, led by António Salazar — a dictator who admired Hitler’s racial ideology and ordered his diplomats to restrict Jewish immigration.
And yet, in defiance of these orders, a handful of courageous Portuguese diplomats chose humanity over obedience. Irene Shaland’s lecture uncovers these largely unknown heroes who risked their careers — and often their lives — to issue thousands of life‑saving transit visas to Jews fleeing the Nazis.
You’ll also step inside wartime Lisbon’s James‑Bond‑like atmosphere, where spies, informants, refugees, and opportunists converged in a city that became a hub of intrigue and survival.
Join this eye‑opening presentation to discover:
– The hidden history of Portugal as a critical escape route
– The diplomats who defied fascism to save Jewish lives
– The political contradictions of Salazar’s regime of neutrality
– The espionage‑filled world of wartime Lisbon
Reserve your spot and uncover a chapter of Holocaust history that few people know — but everyone should.
Irene Shaland is an internationally published art and travel writer and educator, with 7 books and over 30 magazine articles published in the US, Canada, and the UK. She is a contributing author and lecturer at academic institutions such as the Siegal College of Jewish Studies and Touro Law School in New York, and Center for Jewish History Research, as well as museums and cultural institutions, such as Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland and New York, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, BZD, Qesher, and other communal organizations focusing on Jewish history.
Our friends at BZD (Baltimore Zionist District) are organizing a trip to Israel from December 12 through 17, 2025, to experience Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and southern Israel.
From the windswept fjords of Norway to the quiet resilience of Danish Jewish communities, this journey from Scandinavia’s Jewish past to present invites those who cherish global Jewish heritage and thought-provoking history to uncover stories rarely told.
Title: “Scandinavia through the Eyes of a Jewish Traveler”
Presented by: Irene Shaland a Jewish historian and author of 7 books, including “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Tales of Jewish Diaspora, Persecution, the Holocaust and Rebirth in Europe, Africa and Asia”
Join the BZD for a captivating journey through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark with internationally published author Irene Shaland. Known for their breathtaking landscapes, royal capitals, and striking modern design, these countries also hold rich and often little-known Jewish stories.
Together we’ll explore the Jewish communities that once thrived in Scandinavia, the role each nation played during the Holocaust, and what it means to live as a Jew in these societies today. From history to modern life, this presentation offers a unique window into Scandinavia through Jewish eyes.
