Journeys of Hope - An Evening with Alison Marshall - Market Place

Join us for an intimate evening as Sita speaks with Alison Marshall about Journeys of Hope: The Letters of Meyer and Sonia , a powerful true story of migration, family, and survival.

Meyer Fortes and Sonia Donen grew up in a Jewish immigrant community in South Africa, where they fell in love. In 1927, Meyer set off alone to study in London. Sonia stayed behind. Their letters chart their hopes, fears, disappointments and successes as Meyer struggles to make a life and prepare for Sonia's arrival.

Their story braids with others: Meyers father, Nathan's journey to Memphis and Leeds, half-sister Annie's incarceration on Ellis Island, Sonia's escape from the Russian Civil War. The letters offer unique insights into universal challenges, drawing moving parallels between their 1920s experience and the migrations that came before and after, including contemporary stories unfolding in Eastern Europe today.

In this conversation, explore:

* The moment of discovering letters that rewrite your family story
* Love tested by distance, danger, and uncertainty
* Why migration patterns echo across generations
* What gets carried (and lost) when we cross borders
* How researching the past reveals present-day witness
* Reading both what letters say and what they cannot say

Your ticket includes:

* Intimate conversation guided by Sita's warmth and wisdom
* Signed copy of the book ("I couldn't put it down")
* Time for questions and reflection

For:

* Anyone exploring their own family's migration story
* Writers and storytellers working with heritage narratives
* History lovers curious about early 20th century Jewish diaspora
* Those seeking to understand migration with greater nuance and humanity