by Claire Aschner
On May
9, the Renaissance book discussion group met with author, Jen Furer, who wrote
a memoir entitled "Out of Status".
This group has been meeting for many years on the second Thursday of
each month and has an expanding membership but this was the first time we have
invited an author whose book we had read to meet with us. This was indeed a special circumstance as the
author, Jen Furer is the daughter-in-law of Renaissance residents Roz and Al
Furer. I had met Jen and her family
several times and seen her at our swimming pool but the story between the pages
of the book Jen wrote was an eye opening account of a family taking great risks
for a better life.
This
book is a very interesting story of a family of immigrants trying desperately
with every ounce of courage to become citizens of the United States. It is a story of struggle and survival,
devotion and connection, doors slammed and opportunities lost and a family torn
and threatened by separation and
loss. Jen's family spent tens of
thousands of dollars paid to fraudulent, unscrupulous lawyers whom they trusted
to lead them on the path to citizenship but who only took advantage of
desperate people. The ultimate
motivation for writing the book was Jen's brother's miserable time in a
detention center and their mutual desire that their story be told, hopefully to
prevent other families from enduring their torturous experience. The book tells of almost totally unwavering
faith and hope in the face of repeated disappointment. When Jen's resources are almost depleted and
optimism and resilience are challenged, her youngest son, nine year old Josh,
helps restore and revitalize her by telling her that she has a superhero within
her, which is love. Jen's ability to
face her hardships are strengthened by the love of her children and her
husband, Craig and her entire family.
Jen has managed to live the American dream, but without having her
entire family united. Two of her
children have graduated from college and a third will be entering Columbia
University in the fall. After reading
this book you can't help empathizing
with the enormous pain of this family whatever your personal view of
immigration reform. You also can't help
but treasure your good fortune of having been born in the USA.
Jen was
very generous in answering numerous questions and responding to comments. One member felt that Jen's family who are
hardworking, law abiding people who make a contribution are the kind of
immigrants this country needs. Jen also responded to a question about the process of self publishing. It was a wonderful experience to have an
author walk out from the pages of her book and share her story in person.
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