Time-Travel Storytime | The Story of Emma Lazarus: Liberty’s Voice

Travel back in time to the late 19th century to discover the brilliant young writer who put into words for generations to come what America represents to immigrants who come here seeking a better life. Historian and actress Alex Delare will lead an interactive storytime featuring the picture book The Story of Emma Lazarus: Liberty’s Voice: A Biography of One of the Great Poets in American History. The book centers on Emma Lazarus, who had dazzling success as a poet, novelist and playwright. But she felt her true calling was to bring attention to the struggles of the poor Jewish immigrants who were then settling on the Lower East Side. So how did Emma Lazarus’ advocacy for immigrants lead to her poem The New Colossus, with its now-famous lines – Give me your tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to be free, becoming the Statue of Liberty’s powerful message? Join us to find out! After the storytime, Alex will lead an interactive discussion about poetry that will give new life to The New Colossus and remind us of our role in welcoming newcomers to our communities.

This program is recommended for children five and older and their adult companions.

This program will be offered via Zoom. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a link that will allow you to join the Zoom meeting.