Shifra Shomron
is an American-born writer who lived with her family in Neve Dekalim
from 1992 until the highly disputed, tension-filled Israeli
Disengagement from Gaza in 2005. She loved her life and thrived in Gush
Katif, Israel where she spent her childhood through teenage years.
Shifra's
previous works, articles, and poems have appeared in several newspapers
and on many websites. Her short story "Fronds in the Breeze" won first
place alternate in a youth contest. Shifra is a high school recipient
of the "Letter of Academic Excellence" from the Israeli Ministry of
Education.
Shifra served one year of Sherut Leumi
(National service) at the Brechiya State Religious elementary school
which accepted a large number of children from Gush Katif. She helped
in the English department. In the evenings she continued at the Nitzan
caravilla site youth club where she assisted children with their
homework as well as organized arts and crafts activities. In her final
month of Sherut Leumi, in the summer vacation, she taught English at
the re-established Gush Katif Talmud Torah elementary school.
A
number of book reviews and interviews about her debut novel, Grains Of
Sand: The Fall Of Neve Dekalim have appeared in several websites and
newspapers including Israel National News-A7 Radio and The Jerusalem
Post. She chose to write her historic novel for several reasons.
Firstly, as a way to have an accurate account of what was happening in
that extremely difficult time – for herself; the entire situation was
so absurd. She was afraid that she wouldn't trust her memory later on.
Secondly, after the destruction of Gush Katif, it was important to her
to try and eternalize the Gush; and the written word lasts forever.
Lastly, she wanted to share her memories and experiences with the vast
public – so that anyone would be able to pick up her book and be
transferred beyond time and beyond location into her Gush Katif.
Shifra's writings are available on this website.
Shifra graduated from the Israeli government accelerated academic college
"Excellence Program" and holds a B.Ed. in English and Bible Studies. Shifra
explains she went into education in order to help revive a new generation of thinking youth, who are ideological
and connected to their Jewish heritage. Her goal is to help strengthen
the many people who have become discouraged through the lack of
leadership, and the many difficulties Israel is facing through her
writings and in the classroom setting.
Shifra
and her family now reside in one of several temporary caravilla sites
established by the Israeli government for Gush Katif expellees. She is
the second of seven children.
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