Dena Schusterman, Stories Carry

The 35th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA Presents Dena Schusterman, Stories Carry: A Memoir

Author Talk, Q & A & Book Signing

From Atlanta’s own Dena Schusterman, Stories Carry is a personal memoir about faith, belonging, and the inherited stories that shape us. As the daughter of Chabad emissaries in 1970s Berkeley, California, and now a shlicha (female emissary) herself in Atlanta, Georgia, Schusterman, mother of eight, has spent her life straddling two worlds--deeply rooted in Hasidic tradition while fully engaged in modern society. Through interwoven narratives of her parents' journey and her own, Stories Carry explores the beauty and challenges of faith, the struggle to belong within a community, and the tension between tradition and individuality. It offers a rare, intimate look inside the Hasidic world, one often misunderstood or stereotyped, inviting readers to step beyond assumptions and see a vibrant, complex community from the inside. At a time of increasing polarization, Stories Carry is a reminder of the power of shared humanity. Through warmth, honesty, and humor, this book welcomes readers into a world both deeply personal and universally resonant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dena Schusterman is an Atlanta-based writer, educator, and community leader. Her work has appeared in Kveller, Chabad.org, Grok Nation, and on her blog. Schusterman is the cofounder of Chabad Intown and a founding director of both the Intown Jewish Preschool and Intown Hebrew School.

Books will be available for purchase on the day of the event from our partner bookseller, A Cappella Books! All sales are final. Tickets and books are non-refundable.