Bethanie Gorny to Discuss Her Novel at Avalon Community Hall May 23

AVALON – May 23rd, New Jersey writer and educator Bethanie Gorny discusses her novel, “Fridays with Eva: Caring and Learning from my Mother-in-law, a Holocaust Survivor. The public is invited to attend at 12:30pm at Avalon Community Hall. The program is free of charge and sponsored by Avalon Civic Club.
Dr. Bethanie Gorney is an assistant professor at Rowan University, past president of Jewish Family Services of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, and 2010 recipient of Community Service Award by So. Jersey Chapter of Red Cross. She and her husband founded The Holocaust Survivor Fund raising over $125,000 to date.
“Fridays with Eva” is the warm, sometimes hilarious, and poignant story of Bethanie Gorny’s Fridays with her mother-in-law, Eva, an octogenarian Holocaust survivor. When Eva’s advancing age necessitates a move closer to her son and daughter-in-law, Bethanie begins the routine of assisting Eva on Fridays. A surprising and beautiful relationship blossoms between two women who are very different from each other physically, culturally, and spiritually. Bethanie is a middle aged, pragmatic professor while Eva is an observant Jew, joke teller, and widow who has survived some of life’s worst tragedies. Whether this odd couple goes shopping, visits doctors, or sips tea, comical and wrenching emotional scenes will resonate with readers.
The story takes place during the last ten years of Eva’s life supplemented by flashbacks that reveal Eva’s early idyllic life in Poland, her escape to Russia, and her incarceration in a harsh, bleak, Siberian forced labor camp. Bethanie learns that although the Holocaust ended in 1945, the survivors and their children were affected for the rest of their lives. As their relationship develops, the practical professor discovers a spiritual, intuitive side to herself that she had neglected. Gorny begins approaching life using some of her mother-in-law’s everyday survival strategies. There is a gradual role reversal with Eva becoming the teacher and Gorny the student. Surprisingly, Gorny learns that the role of caregiver provides more benefits to her than to Eva. “Fridays with Eva” is a heart warming and charming tale that will entertain, educate, and inspire caregivers and people of all ages. It is ultimately about how relationships have the power to change us and make life meaningful.
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Bethanie Gornly on May 23, 12:30pm at Avalon Community Hall. Free and open to the public compliments Avalon Civic Club.