Gendler uses her great-aunt’s story of marrying a Jewish man during World War II to tell her story. Aunt Resi bravely defied tradition. However, her marriage did not survive the war.
Gendler and the man she loved feared losing each other. So, they kept their relationship a secret for three years. Gendler went about learning all she could about Judaism. In the end, she made her own spiritual choice, conversion to Judaism. Not only was the choice hers and hers alone, but it also led the family of the man she loves to accept her.
Annette Gendler is an author, writing instructor, blogger, and photographer. Since 2006, she has taught memoir writing at StoryStudio Chicago. Her newest book, How to Write Compelling Stories from Family History, is based on one of her workshops, which I have also taught at the American Writers Museum in Chicago, the Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park, GrubStreet in Boston, WriteSpace Jerusalem as well as the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids.
Her essays have appeared in many journals, and links can be found under Writing on her website. Her photography has been featured in Bella Grace Magazine and Artful Blogging. In 2014-15 Gendler had the privilege of serving as writer-in-residence at the Hemingway Birthplace Home in Oak Park, Illinois.
Follow her on Twitter @AnnetteGendler
Thank you for introducing me to another memoirist, book, and blog, Sherrey. I’m heading over there now.
I trust your opinion on good writing , Sherrey, and I have enjoyed “meeting” Annette here and on her blog. I have found several connections as a result. First of all, one of my favorite memoirists in my writing group is Jewish and married to a Catholic, a reverse of your story, Annette.
I noticed also that you, Annette, earned her MFA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC, a city I lived in during my transition from Mennonite to fancy life in my mid-twenties.
Thanks so much for introducing me to Annette, Sherrey. 🙂
Marian, you have proven it is indeed a small, small world we live in. Your connections with Annette are stunning and I’m so glad you were willing to share them. Hope you and Annette can dig up other coincidental “meetings.” As always, Marian, thanks for stopping by.
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