Author to discuss Jewish homesteaders’ stories March 29
The Lewes Public Library and Seaside Jewish Community will welcome author Rebecca Bender for an online discussion of her memoir and biography “Still” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, via Zoom.
More than 400 Russian and Romanian Jewish homesteaders settled on about 85 farms in McIntosh County, North Dakota, beginning in 1905. Co-authored by Bender and her late father Kenneth Bender (1916-2016), “Still” is a history of five generations of their family as they fled Odessa and made their way as American Jews to become Dakota homesteaders. The Benders’ story explores the family’s incredible experience as farmers, students, storekeepers, soldiers, lawyers, and even a teen in an international competition who stands face-to-face with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Registration is required at lewes.lib.de.us.
A former securities litigator in Minnesota, Bender now works with children, first as a volunteer Cub Scout den leader and T-ball coach, and more recently as a substitute teacher. Some things have never changed for her: enjoyment of history and hearing uplifting stories, taking pride in family and Jewish traditions, and gratefulness and appreciation for life in America, where she and her son are free to practice their religion and work hard to achieve their goals.
