Welcome to our Life Story Writing Group web page. We invite you to read a few stories that were developed in our weekly group meetings. We’re a diverse group in age, culture and life experience, giving us the opportunity to explore an enormous range of life stories courageously and in depth. We’re recording our personal and family histories to appreciate the richness of our lives and as a precious legacy for future generations. We hope others will also enjoy and benefit from our stories and be inspired to write their own life stories and family history.
Oktavi Allison appreciates the fine craftsmanship of her father and grandfather, carpenters in Harlem of the 1960s.
Teresa Brun Ancel was one of the few children surviving the Holocaust in her family. She remembers being treasured, watched over vigilantly and shared among her relatives amidst the ruins of Warsaw.
Gilda Feldman learns the fine art of making latkes from her mother-in-law and tries to pass on the hallowed tradition. Recipe included!
June Gatewood and her sister are raised by compassionate nuns in an English orphanage after their father is killed in action during World War II.
Following a trail of intriguing coincidences, genealogist Madeleine Isenberg feels compelled to research the story of a family that was killed in the Holocaust and helps reunite their descendants with their family history.
Finding the Grave of My Great-Grandfather, Baruch Felsen
Jeanette Shelburne embarks on a genealogical treasure hunt to unravel secrets and heal old family traumas.
The Highly Decorated Dr. Aron Rein-Aronfy
Sussane Spira memorializes her grandfather, a physician who served in the Austro-Hungarian Army in World War I and whose high military honors saved him during the Holocaust.
More Than "Something From Nothing"
Anita Wincelberg’s family and community help each other cope with the Depression in New York City.
Barbara Wright first experiences the pain of racial discrimination as a child in Virginia, 1946.
Group Meeting Information
The group meets Tuesdays, 2:00-4:30 pm at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Archives and Reference Library, located on the 3rd floor of 1399 South Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035.
No writing experience is necessary, but eventually some participants have developed their writings into published works. The group is ongoing and you may join any time. There is no fee. Group size is limited to 15. For security reasons, please register in advance.
For more information call (310) 772-7605 or email writingclass@museumoftolerance.com
There is free parking at the Museum of Tolerance: 9786 West Pico Blvd. (southeast corner of Pico Blvd. and Roxbury Drive). Park in garage, take elevator to street level; then cross to diagonal corner.
About the Group Leader, Madeline Isenberg
Madeline Isenberg has been a dedicated member of the Life Story Writing Group since 2009 and brings years of experience as an instructor, editor and published writer. A featured speaker at numerous professional genealogical conferences, her special passion is helping families reconnect with families they have lost contact with by recovering historical records and mementos. Madeline is an advocate for everyone to capture their memories of family life and looks forward to welcoming and mentoring participants in the group.
