“I write to you now as a nourished woman.”
That’s how emerging author Lisa Aslan responded to her experience at PJ Library’s Sephardic Stories Initiative retreat this past March.
“Nourishment is a hard feeling to capture in this modern world of full-time work, parenting, global crisis, and human disconnection,” she continued. “But I got it, and I am holding on to it.”
For four days, twelve writers from across the United States, Australia, and Israel gathered—eight in person in Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania, and four virtually—to learn, write, and connect around a shared goal: creating children's books that celebrate Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Ethiopian Jewish stories.
The retreat, generously supported by the Samis Foundation, brought together emerging authors, PJ Library staff, and a special guest: literary agent John Rudolph of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
The retreat kicked off with a set of special conversation cards inspired by the Sephardic phrase echar lashon—literally, "throw tongue," or strike up a conversation. Participants shared why they write, their favorite childhood foods, and the stories that have stayed with them over the years. Conversations about Persian stews, Iraqi family traditions, Ethiopian customs, Ladino sayings, and childhood memories flowed freely around the table.
From there, writers dove into children's literature. Sessions explored everything from the hero’s journey narrative archetype, found in stories ranging from King Solomon to Star Wars and The Little Mermaid, to brainstorming new manuscripts with PJ Publishing Managing Editor Naomi Shulman.
Throughout the retreat, participants balanced learning with writing. Literary agent John Rudolph shared insights on representation, publishing, and the importance of staying authentic to one's voice. As an agent with Sephardi heritage himself, Rudolph's perspective resonated with the group.
Additional sessions included an open Q&A with PJ Library staff, a discussion led by Director of Books Alisa Koyrakh on writing for the child reader through PJ Library's "mirrors and windows" philosophy, and a picture book pacing workshop with Author Stewardship Manager Erinn Pascal that explored page turns, illustrations, and story structure.
"I learned so much on this retreat," wrote SSI fellow Emma Fierberg. "It was a fantastic balance of educational workshops, active writing practice, actual independent writing time, and relaxation and bonding time. It felt so well rounded and fulfilling."
For another participant joining remotely from Israel due to the war with Iran, the retreat provided a welcome sense of normalcy.
"It has allowed me to have a normal routine amidst the madness of war," SSI fellow Ella Ben Yacov shared. "I can't express how much it helped me feel connected even from afar."
That sense of connection extended well beyond the workshop sessions. When Lisa and SSI fellow Julie Segal Walters went home, participants honored them with a joyful water-splashing farewell, a tradition Lisa shared from her Iraqi Jewish family. It was one more example of the cultural exchange that defined the week.
On the final evening, the group gathered around a fireplace to roast marshmallows, tell stories, and celebrate what they had built together. In that moment, it was easy to see that something bigger than a writing retreat had taken place: a community had formed.
“Thank you, Harold, and PJ staff, for such an incredible experience,” wrote SSI fellow Rinat Hadad Siegel. “It turned out to be much more than writing stories; it was living them . . . I am forever grateful for our time together.”
Since returning home, participants have submitted the first drafts of their picture book manuscripts rooted in Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Ethiopian storytelling. Over the coming months, they will continue revising and refining their work, with the goal of completing their stories by year's end—and helping to bring more underrepresented Jewish voices to children's bookshelves soon.
