WRS Opening Event with Author Joanne Greene

Kick off the new year at the Women of Rodef Sholom's Opening Event for a reading and discussion of author and fellow WRS sister Joanne Greene's new book, By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go. In her book, Joanne reflects on how normal and traumatic setbacks in her life led to discovering that control is a seductive illusion and how letting go of the need for it can reveal great strength and lead us to even firmer ground. There will be a book signing after the discussion. The book is available for purchase at the Women of Rodef Sholom gift shop online or at the JCC.

Joanne Greene grew up in Boston during the 1960s and '70s, a turning point for women in the United States. Doors were opening wider, and Joanne walked through as many as she could. As a young woman, she dove headfirst into San Francisco radio and television, and went on to host and produce award-winning feminist and other timely features and talk shows for decades. Throughout, she worked at having a great marriage and being an exemplary parent. But underlying her high-achieving life was a sometimes-destructive need for control.

Vulnerability and dependency were okay . . . for other people. Joanne's value was tied to how in charge, how together, and how productive she was. Then she suffered a traumatic accident--and it set her on a journey of discovery that taught her true power came in the still moments, the moments when she not only loosened her grip but even allowed herself to crack. In fragility, Joanne found, there was beauty--and possibility, too.

By Accident is a story about discovering that control is a seductive illusion and how letting go of the need for it can reveal great strength and lead us to even firmer ground.