The book is about the history of my great grandfather Tom Moore; Sr. and how in 1905 he purchased 200 acres of land and established his own farm town the Moore Place. He also built a community school and named it Bethel Hill. Papa Tom as he was affectionately referred to by his family was born December 15; 1869 in Alabama and was the son of slave parents. The book also contains a collection of true life stories and incidents that happened in my family during my childhood in the Moore Place that exemplifies the importance of basic Christian and family values. These stories are filled with laughter; love; faith; childish mischief; life lessons; ghost stories and some sadness. The Moore Place; now recognized as Moore Town on the US map; is located on Alabama Highway 28 East in Coatopa; Alabama and is still a thriving community.
#2094563 in Books Shahar Yael 2015-03-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.03 x 6.00l; 1.33 #File Name: 0991058445410 pagesA Damaged Mirror A Story of Memory and Redemption
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Unforgettable Book ... Extra-ordinary when it comes to the Holocaust experienceBy Chaya RosenIt has been said that the Passover Matzah takes us back to relive the Exodus from Egypt...eating it on the first night and the ensuing Passover week; strengthens our faith; and helps us heal.I would say this book A Damaged Mirror by Yael Shahar was my Matzah this year. I started reading it just before the first Seder and just completed it within the closing hours of the end of the holiday. Reluctantly the book was placed carefully down; but as certain as I am to return to my Haggadot; I have no doubt this book will be read over and over again.Line by line; page by page; reading it was a gasping experience. The sentences mesmerize. Often times leaving me holding my hands to my mouth in utter astonishment and sometimes I found myself forgetting to breath.I am a daughter of Holocaust survivors. I've heard the stories since the age of three and I have read everything I could get my hands on as far back as I can recall. This book takes you from the horror of Birkenu; to the forever questions of survival. Questions we have been terrified to ask; etched in our hearts; are answered and profound dialogue raised in Talmudic debate; reach back from Maimonides across to the burning crematoriums into the present. Challenging us to examine ourselves as Jews and our relation to G-d in a world gone mad.Early on in the reading I was tempted to grab my red pen; lest I lose sight of this sentence or that paragraph. It was perhaps a good idea that I did not; for my book would have ended up bleeding from all the red marking I wanted to make.The writing echoes with voices of Elie Wiesel; Viktor Frankl and Primo Levi...and it reaches even further beyond. Resulting in a volume of resounding impact. One that will surely continue to do so for years to come. This is a book I will need to reread. It will stay right on my table...as it's going to be a long time before I can let go of Ovadya ben Malka; Rav Ish-Shalom and Yael Shahar.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Damaged MirrorBy DRobThis was a very difficult book to read; because it went below the surface of the horror of the Holocaust and examined the guilt of the universally reviewed Sonderkommandoes- the Jews who were forced to aid the Nazis by assisting in gassing the victims and delivering their bodies to the crematorium.The book follows the journey of Alex; 60 years after the Holocaust; and his torment for his part in the Holocaust after he was forced to be a Sonderkommando at Birkenau.Through conversations with a Jewish scholar; Alex seeks to relieve his burden of guilt. He denies his culpability; saying he had no choice but to assist.The reason the book was difficult was because it was very deep; and I frequently had to go back and re-read passages to make sure I understood them.This is NOT light; summer break reading; but is extremely worthwhile. In examining the question of Alex's guilt or innocence; the reader is forced to consider his/her own guilt or innocence. Through the internal struggle of someone who aided in one of the most heinous deeds in history; we learn a lot about our own guilt or innocence in lesser deeds.This book is a must read not just for people who are interested in the Holocaust; but for anyone who is interested in the question of free will. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommended; thought provokingBy Andrea AlexanderThere are very few books that make me want to read slowly and take in what the author is saying. This is one of those books. I found myself getting lost in the book; then needing to set it down for a day or two to absorb what I'd read. I finished this book weeks ago; yet I still find myself thinking about conversations that happened in the book (particularly between Ovadya and his Rav); or smiling and thinking about Shmuel the Glazier; a beautiful example of quick thinking and survival in impossible circumstances.Holocaust books in general can be difficult to read. This book pulls no punches; but it really is a story of "memory and redemption." It is more about how one comes to terms with the past and how we learn and grow as a part of life itself. What is responsibility? What choice do you have when you have no choice? How can a person accept the unacceptable; and still be the person they were? Can they? Even if others are willing to forgive you; how can you forgive yourself? How can you know you are truly forgiven?A Damaged Mirror is an excellent book. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the experiences of those in the holocaust and to anyone who is willing to set aside our every-day preconceptions so they can learn from someone else's truth. This is an enjoyable book with a lot of depth.
