International Award winning Author to Visit College of Staten Island In New York City

NEW YORK - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Each year, five Jewish authors get the honor of making the list of finalists for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, an award which yields the ultimate winner tribal fame, endless prestige, and a $100,000 prize. This year’s winner has been announced and it is Francesca Segal, author of the highly-acclaimed novel "The Innocents".

Join Hillel at the College of Staten Island on October 6th at 10:30am, as they host the author series beginning with Francesca Segal. The novel "The Innocents"; 2013 winner of the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, is a modern day twist on Edith Whartons "The Age of Innocence".  The Innocents is about romance and a story about a modern Jewish family living in London. Francesca Segal's work has appeared in Granta, the Guardian, the Financial Times, and both American and British Vogue, amongst others. She has been a features writer at Tatler, and for three years wrote the Debut Fiction column in the Observer.

"THE INNOCENTS" has received the  2012 Costa First Novel Award, the 2012 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction, the 2013 Sami Rohr Prize, and a 2013 Betty Trask Award, and was long-listed for the 2012 Women's Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize).  "The Innocents" is a smart and slyly funny tale of love, temptation, confusion, and commitment.

The delightful Jessica Soffer joins Hillel to discuss her novel, "Tomorrow There Will be Apricots" on January 5, 2014.  Her beautiful novel of finding oneself thorough friendship and food is a poignant mother daughter story that centers around cooking the family recipes that have been handed down through generations of women.

The final  lecture of the series on March 30 will feature Mark Russ Federman, author of "Russ and Daughters"  telling the story of how the Russ family built a business in smoked fish and pickled herring -from lower east side pushcart to true NYC gourmet. This event includes a delicious Russ and Daughters bagels and lox breakfast!

The tax deductible cost for the series is $75. Tickets can be purchased for individual lectures and priced as follows. Francesca Segal and Jessica Soffer are each $25, and Mark Russ Federman is $36. All profits benefit the leadership programs of Hillel at the College of Staten Island.  Tickets for the lecture series can be purchased online at  https://hillelatcsi.eventbrite.com/  by check to Hillel at CSI, 2800 Victory Blvd, SI, NY 10314 or by calling Amy Posner at 718 982-3006.  The Hillel at the College of Staten Island is a 501(C)3 organization.

Hillel serves approximately 1000 Jewish students on the 10,000 student campus of the College of Staten Island located in New York City.  The Hillel in the College of Staten Island has been named "Club of the Year" and "Most Philanthropic Club".  Hillel serves the entire Staten Island campus community with engaging programs and activities promoting Jewish values that are universal to help to make the world a better place. Hillel offers young adults on Staten Island unique opportunities for leadership, learning and service to the community. Hillel provides a comfortable place for college students to express Jewish identity and to explore Judaism, nurturing spiritual well being. Most important, the door is always open for friendships and fun!  Hillel is located at the Multi Faith Center in the Student Center, building 1C, room 225.