Category: Announcements

Parent Category for all announcements: upcoming events, book promotions, links to magazine articles

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Jewish Life in the Jungles and Cities of Brazil

Unveiling 500 Years of Jewish Life in the Jungles and Cities of Brazil

Irene Shaland’s New Virtual Presentation

theater building in Manaus, Brazil

Image by Alex Shaland: Opera Theater in the heart of the Amazonian jungle. Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Organized by BZD organization, Baltimore

Day/Date/Time: Tuesday, November 26th, 11:00 AM EST

For Information and Registration follow the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdO-urjojH92LbhBLXtumtZxajjaO9fLS

(The link to the presentation is sent after the registration is submitted)

Event Description (from the BZD Website):

Embark on an extraordinary virtual journey with the unparalleled expertise of renowned historian and speaker Irene Shaland as she uncovers 500 years of Jewish history woven into the very fabric of Brazil. From the mysterious world of 15th-century politics, deception, and exploration, discover the pivotal role of Crypto-Jews in shaping Brazil’s development.

Dive deep into the untold stories that reveal why Anna Novinsky, a leading expert in Jewish history, famously declared, “Brazil was built by the Jews!” Travel through time from the 15th century to the present day, visiting key locations such as Salvador Bahia, Manaus, the Amazon, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and the Iguassu Falls. Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse Jewish narratives that have flourished in this fascinating country’s bustling cities and remote jungles.

Join the BZD for a captivating lecture that promises to shed light on the hidden Jewish influences in Brazil’s history. This is a journey you won’t want to miss, whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply curious. Get ready to be engaged and enlightened!

For Information and Registration follow the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdO-urjojH92LbhBLXtumtZxajjaO9fLS

(The link to the presentation is sent after the registration is submitted)

Click here to check out Irene Shaland’s Books on Amazon

Find out more about the presenter Irene Shaland

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New Children’s eBook on Sale at ONLY $0.99 Oct. 22 through Oct. 24

Jackie the Panguin Goes to America book and Alex Shaland

“Jackie the Penguin Goes to America: Jackie Visits American National Parks and Learns About the Animals, Geysers, Glaciers, Caves, and Native American Tribes”

The third book of “Adventures of Jackie the Penguin” series

In addition to the paperback edition, the eBook edition of “Jackie the Penguin Goes to America”  is now available for purchase and is on sale for only $0.99:   https://amzn.to/3XnNgr4

Would your adventurous child enjoy exploring Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks in the company of a little penguin?

In this third book of the Adventures of Jackie the Penguin series, your child will join Jackie and meet all kinds of wild animals; be in awe of geysers, glaciers, and caves; and learn about the local Native American tribes. Vibrant color photographs illustrating every animal make them come alive. And reading the story is just pure fun. Why? Because the story is told by a small person, who happens to be an adorable penguin. By the way, books in this series can be read in any order.

While following Jackie’s adventures, kids will love learning about nature and let their imagination go wild! Whether your child reads this story on their own, or you are the one reading it to them – Jackie the Penguin Goes to America will not only entertain and educate but also foster your child’s desire to explore our world.

Created by an award-winning photographer and author, Alex Shaland, this fun-filled story uniquely combines elements of a picture book and a chapter book. What sets it apart from other children’s books is the abundance of stunning color photographs and fascinating information about nature to learn.

Are you and your child ready to embark on an awesome journey with Jackie the Penguin? You know where to find this book!

Link to eBook edition: https://amzn.to/3XnNgr4

Link to paperback edition: https://amzn.to/3zFZRfL

Learn more about the author Alex Shaland

#bookforkids #booksforkids #bookforchildren #booksforchildren #childrensbooks

 

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Review of “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in and around Lisbon”

Book cover of Irene Shaland's book Lisbon

Review of “Shaland’s Lisbon” by: CB, Amazon reader

Link to book: https://amzn.to/4awMblb

★★★★★ A Fascinating Look at Lisbon

“For a deep dive into Lisbon’s Jewish history, we will reconstruct the past while traveling not only through the modern city but also through time.”

    This book is a vivid and fascinating look into Lisbon through the lens of Jewish history and culture. Irene Shaland paints a colorful story spanning centuries from Biblical times to today through a close-up look at Portugal’s capital (and other beautiful locations too.)

    The book is told through a broad look at each time period, and zooms in each chapter for a close-up look at Jewish life during the time. The information – told like a story, as if Irene were walking you right through Lisbon, with intelligent observation – is complemented by stunning photographs.

    Shaland’s Lisbon is perfect for anyone curious about Jewish history, anyone going to Lisbon, or anyone just curious about the area (it feels like I got to take a little trip there!) The book is perfect for reading on the go, as it takes you through the streets and points out architecture and little details you otherwise might’ve missed.

    Though I’m not Jewish myself, I enjoyed learning more, and was fully fascinated and entranced by Irene’s storytelling that brought Jewish life from centuries ago into the present. But be warned – once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!

Check this book out:  https://amzn.to/4awMblb

Read more about the Book Author Irene Shaland.

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EXPLORE THE MOSAIC OF SINGAPORE

EXPLORE THE MOSAIC OF SINGAPORE

WITH IRENE SHALAND

Free In-Person Event in Cleveland, Ohio

Text by: Irene Shaland and Artists Archives of the Western Reserve

Saturday, June 1st, 1:00 – 2:30 pm: The Mosaic of Singapore with Irene Shaland

Location: Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 East 123rd St. Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Register for this FREE IN-PERSON event:  Link to Registration

Travel with Irene Shaland to one of the most amazing destinations in Asia for history and art aficionados: a small city-state of Singapore. Bustling, cosmopolitan, artsy, trendy, modern, clean, and orderly, Singapore plays an important part on the world’s financial and political stage. Ethnically and religiously diverse, this city-state is a true microcosm of tolerance and inclusiveness, unique in our world today.

Discover the fascinating story of the uniquely Singaporean world: composed of a mosaic of cultures: Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Armenian, Persian, Jewish, Arabic, and European – this is a world like no other.  A country of immigrants, Singapore is called a nation of cultures. Unnoticed by many visitors, the streets of Singapore can double as a museum of modern and contemporary art, while the city skyline displays cutting-edge architecture.

This event is free of charge and will be held at the AAWR gallery. Immediately following the program, a small sampling of authentic food from Singapore, courtesy of Dang Good Foods will be served. 

Register for this FREE IN-PERSON event:  Link to Registration

Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay and Supertrees
Singapore National Gallery
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Madeira and Azores – Virtual Lecture

May 19, 2024
12:00 Noon EST via Zoom

opening slide of Portuguese lecture

Please “come” virtually to Irene Shaland’s lecture devoted to Jewish history in Portugal. This time, we will be exploring the enchanting islands of Madeira and Azores that belong to Portugal.

This lecture is hosted by the Society for Crypto Judaic Studies. The event is OPEN to the public. To receive the link to the event, you need to register. Please find the link to register: 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON SCJS WEBSITE

About this Zoom event:

Title: “The Hidden History of Jewish People on the Islands of Madeira and Azores and the Unsolved Mystery of a Sefer Torah”

Date: May 19, 2024

Time: 12:00 Noon EST

Description:

Join the renowned author and historian, Irene Shaland, in her exploration of two Portuguese autonomous regions in the Atlantic: Madeira and Azores. With their mild climate, dramatic waterfalls, and mountains, both archipelagos are popular tourist destinations with over five million visitors arriving annually.

However, few tourists know that the two islands of Madeira and the nine islands of Azores have a hidden Jewish history, and the archipelagos tightly guard their secrets.

The Jewish presence on the islands, still under the radar of most historians, spans the entire length of recorded history beginning with their discovery by the Portuguese in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is even thought that the explorer who discovered Madeira, Joao Zarco, was of Crypto-Jewish ancestry.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON SCJS WEBSITE

To learn more about Irene Shaland’s new book “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in and around Lisbon” click here: https://amzn.to/4awMblb

 

Learn more about the presenter Irene Shaland.

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In Search of a Jewish Story in China

In Search of a Jewish Story in China
Free Virtual Presentation Hosted by
New City Library, New York

Date and Time: May 6th, 7:00 PM EST

Join an art and travel writer Irene Shaland as she takes us on a fascinating expedition, both familiar and unknown, through the 2,000 years of history in China. We will journey along the Silk Road and Gobi Desert, and visit six cities: Harbin, Beijing, Dunhuang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Shanghai.  

As a Jewish historian, Irene Shaland remains ever attuned to what she calls the Jewish story, an often “endless chain of persecutions, from century to century, from country to country.” However, in China, she uncovered an entirely different chapter in Jewish history, which is divided into two unique narratives: the Jews in China and the Jews of China.

You are invited to discover these fascinating stories and find answers to many perplexing questions:

What are the secrets of the Gobi Desert and the Silk Road?

What do the most anti-Semitic of Russian Tsars, a railroad, a Chinese fishing village, and Russian-Yiddish culture have in common?

How did it happen that a port city in China occupied by the Japanese became a safe haven for thousands of European Jews during World War II?

What important lessons can we learn today from the history of the Chinese Jews?

Finally, why did the Jews of China disappear? And – did they really?

To register follow the link to the New City Library website: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/search-jewish-story-china-43823

Read about Jews in China in Irene Shaland’s book “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Tales of Jewish Diaspora, Persecution, the Holocaust and Rebirth in Europe, Africa and Asia.” https://amzn.to/2T1u5kK

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“How to Be a Published Author” Free In-Person Lecture

Post by Jessa Burtis, Contributing Editor

Dear readers, writers, and aspiring authors,

Please join an in-person lecture by author Alex Shaland on how to write and publish your own book. Alex will share his writing and publishing experience at this event, hosted by the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR).

Event Details:

Date: March 13, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Location: Artists Archives of the Western Reserve

  • Address: 1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland, Ohio  44106-1910
  • Phone: 216-721-9020

This event is free and open to the public. You can click the link to register:  Register here.

To find out more about the event, click the link here: About the Event

About the Lecture:

Join Alex Shaland’s presentation on the process of writing, editing, and publishing a book, from the first moments of inspiration to marketing your work. You will be able to deepen your knowledge and confidence of publishing, guided by Alex’s own experience writing and publishing his books. Topics covered during the lecture include:

  • Why do you want to write your book?
  • Selecting the subject for your book.
  • Writing your story.
  • Receiving feedback.
  • Editing your manuscript.
  • Choosing how to publish your book.
  • Navigating the publishing process the hard way.
  • Finally, your book is published, so what’s next? Or, how to promote your book once it is published.

To learn more about Alex and his adventures in writing travel and children’s books, click here: About Alex Shaland

To find Alex’s books, click the titles below:

“Suburbanites on Safari”:   https://amzn.to/2NYgSpv

“Jackie the Penguin Goes on Safari”: https://amzn.to/3FjmS6Q

“Jackie the Penguin Goes to Madagascar”:  https://amzn.to/3NQ2RLm

 

 

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Free Virtual Lecture February 27, 2024: Madeira and Azores

Opening slide of Azores and Madeira lecture by Irene Shaland

Dear friends, readers, and followers,

Please “come” virtually to Irene Shaland’s 2nd lecture devoted to Jewish history in Portugal. This time, we will be exploring the enchanting islands of Madeira and Azores that belong to Portugal.

This event is FREE and OPEN to the public. To receive the link to the event, you need to register. I recommend registering as soon as possible; it only takes a couple of minutes. Please click the link to register: Link to Registration

About this Zoom event:

Title: “The Hidden History of Jewish People on the Islands of Madeira and Azores and the Unsolved Mystery of a Sefer Torah”

Date: February 27, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM EST

Description:

Join the BZD and renowned author and historian, Irene Shaland, in her exploration of two Portuguese autonomous regions in the Atlantic: Madeira and Azores. With their mild climate, dramatic waterfalls, and mountains, both archipelagos are popular tourist destinations with over five million visitors arriving annually.

However, few tourists know that the two islands of Madeira and the nine islands of Azores have a hidden Jewish history, and the archipelagos tightly guard their secrets.

The Jewish presence on the islands, still under the radar of most historians, spans the entire length of recorded history beginning with their discovery by the Portuguese in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is even thought that the explorer who discovered Madeira, Joao Zarco, was of Crypto-Jewish ancestry.

To learn more about the organization and to register, go to the BZD website: https://bzdisrael.org/ or call: 410-484-4510

To learn more about Irene Shaland’s new book “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites in and around Lisbon” click here: https://amzn.to/4awMblb

Read more about the presenter, Irene Shaland

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Acts of Loving Kindness During the Holocaust

BZD announcement about Irene Shaland's lecture on January 28

In commemoration of the 2024 International Holocaust Memorial Day, the Baltimore Zionist District organization presents a lecture about unsung heroes during the Holocaust: people who risked everything to save untold thousands of Jewish lives during Shoah.

Day/Date: Sunday, January 28th

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Title: Acts of Loving Kindness During the Holocaust: Unknown Stories from Cuba, Corsica, Malta, and Calabria

https://bzdisrael.org/acts-of-loving-kindness-during-the-holocaust-unknown-stories-from-cuba-corsica-malta-and-calabria/

 To Read more about the presentation and to Register click here

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpfuyvrDkoE9WsYhEfah84y7hD073Ijon7#/registration

Read stories from Malta and Corsica in Irene Shaland’s book “Shaland’s Jewish Travel Guide to Malta and Corsica” https://amzn.to/3nfjH9s

Learn more about the presenter, Irene Shaland.

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Shaland’s Lisbon is N 1 on Amazon

We are happy to share great news: Irene Shaland’s new book “Shaland’s Lisbon: An Illustrated Guide to Jewish History and Sites In and Around Lisbon” is N1 New Release at Amazon.

What is this book about?

“Drawing on extensive academic research and personal experiences during an extended stay in Portugal, Irene Shaland paints a vivid picture of the Sephardic Jewish experience in Iberia from Antiquity through modern times.” –GTA Books.  Take a minute to check this book out:

LINK to Paperback edition

Link to eBook edition

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