This is the story of Jackie Semha, a young girl born in Tunisia to a loving family and community, yet one in which only boys are celebrated. Her journey from Tunisia, to France, Israel, Canada and finally the United States forces her to confront the disparity between the land of her birth and the land of her mature years. Her transition -- from a learning-handicapped tomboy sheltered in the womb of a loving community to a successful professional in a foreign land with an unfamiliar language and alien customs and values -- is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. The words of her teacher, Madame Sabban: Si tu veux, tu peux -- If you want to succeed, you can succeed -- gave Jackie strength and inspired her to help others find the faith in themselves to achieve greatness. Jackie's story is brought to life through a collection of superbly written vignettes with the help of the writer Hillary S Liber.
Jacqueline Semha Gmach was born and raised in Tunisia and moved to the United States as a young adult. She is an award-winning and passionate promoter of Jewish culture and has served as director of many San Diego-based Jewish events, among them the renowned San Diego Jewish Book Fair. Mrs. Gmach is currently project director of A Sephardim and Mizrahim Collection: 50 Testimonies of Jews in Arab Countries During the Shoah (Holocaust), a Project of USC Shoah Foundation. Her writings have appeared in various newspapers and journals.
Hillary Selese Liber is a professional writer and teaches creative writing to children, teens and adults. Her work has been published in the Toledo Blade, Heritage, San Diego Union Tribune and the San Diego Jewish Journal. She is a contributing author to the books Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community (2003), Touched by Adoption (1999) and Motivation, Career Striving and Aging (1982.)
Jackie Gmach is a remarkable storyteller, and she has a remarkable story to tell. Her book is a wonderful addition to works explaining the modern Jewish condition. Jackie has lived in two worlds, and when you finish reading her book you will understand those worlds as well. --Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Author of Jewish Literacy
Jackie Gmach teaches her students if you want to succeed you can succeed. This charming book is proof of her success in life and in storytelling. --Rabbi David Wolpe Rabbi of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, and author of Why Faith Matters
I have long been interested in stories of people overcoming depression and lifes circumstances and then bouncing back with such resilience and spirit that they go on to help others live full and meaningful lives. I was impressed to learn that Jacqueline Gmach has written a book about her life which includes these very topics in such a moving way. Susan Polis Schutz, AJL Reviews
