Where We Once Gathered - Lost Synagogues of Europe
Book Review by Linda Short, JD, Penn State University. ... I recommend the book without reservation. I was struck immediately by the beautifully detailed paintings that illustrate the selected synagogues which form the focus of the text. ....Readers of all ages will be drawn into the book and its images recalling another vibrant and glorious time in Jewish history.            Publishers Weekly: Where We Once Gathered: Lost Synagogues of EuropePleasing illustrations and uncomplicated writing combine to make this volume a good choice for introducing older children to aspects of the Holocaust...The clarity and brevity of the profiles of the synagogues--especially the omission of details too gruesome or terrifying for children--and the bright paintings adorning each page will inspire readers to both appreciate and mourn what once was. Ages 9-12. (Apr.)The Foreword Review:This painted history of exceptional, sacred Jewish spaces, mostly from the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s, pivots around their destruction under German rule during WWII. Quoted passages referring to God's love for people of all faiths, used in the structures' original dedication ceremonies, are particularly stirring in this context. From Latvia to Italy, the prominence of the Jews as integral to their diverse communities shines through. A unique love letter from the author to her ancestors. Ages eight and up.Julie Eakin, Foreword ReviewsMarch 2012Review by Lauren Kramer Jewish Book CouncilIt is clear that a huge amount of research has gone into the writing ofWhere We Once Gathered, and Strongwater's beautiful illustrations and the background informa­tion enrich our understanding of just how much was swallowed into oblivion in the wake of the Holocaust. This makes her book a valuable resource for education and offers a deeper understanding of the Jewish life that thrived in Europe a century ago. Recom­mended for ages 12-adult.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.