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Michelson's Triumphant Book is Here at Last!

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Sonia Michelson's book is proof that the writing of letters is indeed an art form. Through her descriptive depictions, humorous and candid observations of her new life in Israel, Michelson welcomes the U.S. family she left behind (including her music students) to share in this life-transforming experience. Page by page, one is astounded by Michelson's courage as she leaves a comfortable life in Los Angeles, CA to embark on this head-spinning life adventure in Ofra, Israel. Her keen ability to adapt to a new world can serve as a model for those of us who go about life stubbornly resisting change on all fronts. Michelson's rich and vivid volume of letters offers readers one more source from which to draw inspiration for daily living and strength to confront those seemingly insurmountable obstacles, which inevitably come our way. What is most profound is the underlying strength of her family's bond; Michelson has 4 of 7 children living in Israel and more than a dozen grandchidren! The homecoming she describes receiving from her family in the first of her letters brings tears to one's eyes. Undoubtedly, this is a testament to the kind of loving and nurturing home Michelson herself provided as a young mother to her 7 children, back in their formative years. Michelson is at heart "home at last." A most enjoyable, thought-provoking and inspiring read. Thanks and kudos to Mrs. Michelson!!

A Good Acoount of Changing Cultures!

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"Home at Last" is a personal and compelling chronicle of an American women's taking up permament residence in Israel.
The format used in her book is a series of letters she wrote to friends telling of her experiences as they were happening. These letters explore every aspect of her new life and include such challenging issues as establishing a new home, attending school to learn Hebrew, getting her Israeli citizenship papers, etc. With a sense of optimism and perseverence, she has succeeded in creating a happy and productive life in her new home.
Easy to read and enjoyable - highly recommended!

A Whole New Life

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Sonia Michelson takes you by the hand and leads you into a completely different world than the one she left in Los Angeles at age 78. Her struggles to learn Hebrew in her new town of Ofra, Israel astound the reader. Her new connection with her children and grandchilden are so heart warming, that the reader understands why she is determined to be there and assimilate.
Being the artist she is, carries her through the political issues and changes she faced the first year. Always, her students bring her joy-that is a constant that sustains her.
Recommended to you who wonder if change can be enriching or not. Sonia nods a resplendant yes.

An inspiring story

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Sonia Saeta Michelson has written a book that is enticingly easy to read while being compelling and inspiring on many levels. At age 77, after making the decision to pack up and leave her home town of Los Angeles for a transatlantic journey to join her family by moving to Israel, she writes in loving detail about the warmth of her family aiding her transition while describing with youthful wonder all the discoveries, natural beauty and historic resonance of her new homeland. Michelson is also frank and upfront about the process of making aliyah, from the bureaucratic, paperwork process to the intensity of learning a new and complex language. Here again, Michelson's courage and spirit is winning as she writes with humor on many of the everyday surprises and cultural adjustments and personal trials faced during her first year in Israel. Her book is not just that of a grandmother reuniting with her family but also a concise depiction of a woman, of both ageless spirit and conviction, embracing a new country as well.

Gem of a Book

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Home At Last is a little gem of a book that gives a taste of one woman's courage in facing the obstacles that
come with immigrating to a new country late in life. Little did music teacher Sonia Michelson know just how much change she was to encounter in Israel and how much meaning she would find in her new life. This is the story of Sonia's journey and adventures as she reunites with her family and her Jewish roots as she finds where she belongs.

This book is also an interesting introduction to Jewish culture and customs for those of us who are unfamiliar but have always wondered. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book and especially so if you are planning a trip to Israel.