Join acclaimed author
Sarah Hurwitz
for a conversation with Rabbi Annie Tucker about her new book
As A Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us
An urgent exploration of how antisemitism impacts Jewish identity and how Jews can reclaim our sacred tradition
Sunday, March 8 from 4:30-5:30 pm
Temple Israel Center
Come and enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies at 4:00 pm, before the program
The Rabbi Gordon Tucker Fund for Jewish Learning, Thought and Culture
Register for this in person event by clicking here. This event is free, open to the public, and made possible by the Rabbi Gordon Tucker Fund for Jewish Learning, Thought and Culture.
Sarah Hurwitz
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chief Speechwriter (2010-2017) & Author of Here All Along
Sarah Hurwitz was a White House speechwriter from 2009 to 2017, starting out as a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and then serving as chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. Sarah worked with Mrs. Obama to craft widely-acclaimed addresses – including her 2008, 2012, and 2016 Democratic National Convention speeches – and traveled with the First Lady across America and to five continents. Sarah also worked on policy issues affecting young women and girls as a senior advisor to the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Before working at the White House, Sarah was chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential primary campaign. She then joined the Obama campaign, serving as a senior speechwriter for then-Senator Obama. Prior to the Clinton and Obama campaigns, Sarah served as deputy chief speechwriter for Senator John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, deputy chief speechwriter for General Wesley Clark’s primary campaign, and a speechwriter for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa. Sarah was also a lawyer at the Washington, DC office of WilmerHale and is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
Sarah has been profiled in The Washington Post, People.com, The Boston Globe, and The Guardian; interviewed on The Today Show, Morning Joe, Amanpour & Co., and NPR; and featured in The Forward as one of 50 Jews who impacted American life in 2016 and 2019.
Sarah is also the author of Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life — in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) which was a finalist for two National Jewish Book Awards and for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. Michelle Obama tweeted about Sarah’s book saying, “Sarah Hurwitz is a brilliant writer with a big heart and a kind soul — and I’m sure Here All Along will reflect her thoughtfulness and eloquence, which I depended on for so many years. I’m so proud of you, Sarah, for sharing your journey and your voice with the world!” Her latest book, As A Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Shame, Blame, and Try To Erase Us, is an urgent exploration of how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity and how Jews can reclaim their tradition.
Sarah offers audiences a behind-the-scenes look at life in the White House working for one of the most inspiring and influential women in the world. She also shares her advice on effective storytelling, providing concrete tips for how to create a moving, persuasive narrative that breaks through the noise and has a lasting impact.
This program is made possible by the Rabbi Gordon Tucker Fund for Jewish Learning, Thought and Culture. Please click here if you are interested in contributing to this fund to help support future events.
If there is anything we can do to make this program accessible to you or if you would like to request an ASL interpreter (two weeks prior to this event), please contact Rebecca Stulberger.
