Reclaiming Jewish Identity: The Hidden History Behind “Irena’s Gift”

Focusing on Irena’s Gift, a 2025 National Jewish Book Award Finalist for Autobiography & Memoir that judges described as “reads like a thriller,” this event explores how hidden histories can rupture families—and ultimately reshape our understanding of who we are. Karen Kirsten grew up in a Christian home, unaware that her Jewish mother had been smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto in a backpack, or that the people who raised her mother were not her parents, but an aunt and uncle concealing the truth. Only after a letter from a stranger arrived when her mother was 32, did the family’s Holocaust secrets begin to surface. We’ll discuss how reckoning with moral complexity, family betrayal, and silenced history can reframe our identities—and why excavating these truths matters so deeply at a time when Jewish identity itself is under scrutiny.

Karen Kirsten is the author of Irena's Gift, a 2025 National Jewish Book Award finalist, winner of Zibby Awards for Best Family Drama & Best Story of Overcoming, an Australian Jewish Book Award finalist, and described by Pulitzer prize winning author Geraldine Brooks as, “a disturbing investigation into the power of secrets to harm and to haunt.”

Karen is an Australian-American writer and Holocaust educator who speaks on the topics of hatred and reconciliation around the world. Her essay, “Searching for the Nazi Who Saved My Mother’s Life” was selected by Narratively as one of their Best Ever stories and nominated for The Best American Essays. Karen’s writing has also appeared in Salon, Huffington Post, The Week, The Jerusalem Post, WIEZ in Poland, Boston's National Public Radio station, The Boston Herald, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and more.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.