The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, Nishmah and the former Jewish Council Against Family present an author event and panel discussion on the subject of family abuse. The program will be the Inaugural Rebbetzin Rivkin Memorial Lecture and takes place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. 

Author Eishes Chayil (also known as Judy Brown) will present her award-winning novel, “Hush.” A powerful and gripping tale based on a true story, “Hush” revolves around a young woman’s struggle to reconcile faith and culture with horrifying family secrets. This painful but respectful story of redemption demonstrates that abuse can, and unfortunately does, happen anywhere, in any family, in any community.

A discussion will follow the author’s presentation. Panelists include: the author (who used the pseudonym Eishes Chayil, meaning “woman of valor,” when publishing her book to protect herself & her family); Larry Levin, Publisher/CEO of the St. Louis Jewish Light; and Michelle Schiller-Baker, Executive Director of St. Martha’s Hall shelter program for abused women and their children. 

An audience Q&A and book-signing will follow the discussion. Copies of “HUSH”, provided by Left Bank Books, will be available for sale at the event. 

For anyone unable to attend, autographed copies may also be charged by phone in advance and picked up at the JCC afterwards. Tickets are $8 or FREE with Festival 2012 Series PLUS Tickets. Call 314-442-3299 for tickets or books. The event is sponsored by Goldstein & Pressman, P.C., and co-sponsored by Bais Abraham Congregation; Nusach Hari B’nai Zion; St. Louis Rabbinical Association; and Young Israel of St. Louis. The Festival is presented by Maryville University’s School of Adult & Online Education.