Debra B. Darvick

Website: http://www.debradarvick.com
Residence: Birmingham, (Detroit) Michigan

Biographical information
Debra B. Darvick's essays, book reviews and columns have appeared in the Forward, Hadassah, Moment, Reform Judaism Magazine, the Detroit Jewish News and four anthologies. Her parenting column, "Life in the Jewish Lane," drew nationwide praise. Darvick's book, This Jewish Life, Stories of Discovery, Connection and Joy, portrays riveting moments of transformation, insight, and healing within the context of Jewish holidays and life cycle celebrations.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Darvick graduated from Kenyon College (Gambier, OH) in 1978 with a BA in French and Spanish. A move to New York City, led to jobs at Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. and Scholastic where she edited primary grade news magazines.

Darvick is winner of the Simon Rockower Award for Excellence in Jewish Journalism, given by the American Jewish Press Association (Excellence in Feature Writing, 1994; Excellence in Commentary, 1996), First Place (non-fiction) in the Detroit Women Writers yearly competition (1999, 2000), and a two-time recipient of a residency at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL (1999 and 2000).

A Life Member of Hadassah, Darvik's strivings to infuse her growing family with Jewish values provided the impetus for a series of essays that appeared in numerous Jewish magazines that culminated in the aforementioned "Life in the Jewish Lane." This monthly column explored the ways Jewish values provide essential guidance for parents during the tumultuous years of raising adolescents.

While demographers decry rising intermarriage rates and flagging interest in Jewish continuity, Darvick views the glass differently. She believes that the renewed interest in Jewish study and practice in Judaism's four movements bode well for the future.

Darvick and her husband Martin live in Detroit, MI with their two children, Elliot, 19 and Emma, 16.

She has spoken at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, (Southfield, MI) - writing workshop for teens/book talk, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, The Joys of Judaism, Congregation Bnai Moshe, (West Bloomfield, MI), Tikkun Leil Shavuot, Jewish Experiences for One and All, Lunch and Learn - Milton Steinberg's As a Driven Leaf/Faith in the Face of Senseless Death.

Discussion topics

• Debra B. Darvick's book, This Jewish Life, Stories of Discovery, Connection and Joy, offers riveting portrayals of contemporary Jewish experiences. Based on interviews with Jews across this country and Canada, Darvick uncovers golden moments of healing, transformation, and insight within the context of Jewish holidays and life cycle celebrations. One part inspiration, one part enlightenment, Darvick's captivating presentation weaves story and Jewish life - its rituals and traditions - into a most compelling event.

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