Welcome to the website of author
About Elayne
Elayne was born in 1946 and grew up in Chicago. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and has an M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Minnesota. She lived for a decade in Fargo, N.D. then moved with her husband and three sons to Portland Oregon. She taught in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Portland for thirty years. In addition to academic articles and a text, Reading the Bible, Transforming Conflict, Shapiro gave workshops in conflict management and family communication. She mediated in Small Claims Court for thirteen years and has volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for ten years.
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My Grandfather’s Trunk is historical fiction, but Shapiro wanted a narrative to try and make sense of communication patterns she observed in her own extended family. The family history was blanketed by a family secret. Shapiro wanted a narrative to explain what had happened.
About the book
Growing up in Tzfat at the turn of the twentieth century, Esther does not know what to expect when she marries Moshe, a trunk-maker with dreams of following his brothers to start a new life in America. Tzfat may not be perfect . . . but what about the challenges of the new world, so strange and so far from everything Esther and Moshe have ever known?
Those challenges, after all, are considerable—from the constant economic struggle of feeding and housing a growing family; to the pull of the modernity that threatens to unravel Esther and Moshe’s Jewish traditions; to the global crises of war and pandemic; and finally, to the terrible toll taken by mental illness.
Of course, there is joy and endurance, too—more than enough for Esther and Moshe’s story to be richly retold many years later. And the retelling in this book begins when a granddaughter finds a trunk that Moshe made, and is intrigued by its meticulous, old-world craftsmanship . . .
My Grandfather’s Trunk is historical fiction. While the focus is on the Jewish immigrant experience in America of the early twentieth century, the story also includes some dark themes. Readers, please take note.
RECIPES INSPIRED BY THE BOOK
Borscht Vegetarian
Challah
Chicago-Style Poppy Seed Hot Dog Buns
More to come!
Praise for My Grandfather's Trunk
My Grandfather's Trunk is a well researched and well developed story of one family's experience as Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century. With detailed descriptions of the life and struggles of the Halpern family, it reminded me very much of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," but with unique insight into Jewish culture, faith, and community. At the same time, it teased out thoughtful conversations on very modern themes including labor relations, women's rights, war, migration, and so forth. It is an enjoyable read which would also be a great choice to share with friends or a book group for the discussions it can generate.
Emily Hackett