Author Launches Book About Life in Jordan and Experiences with Middle Eastern Women
August 07, 2025 | Tehachapi, Kern County, California
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Surls, who has lived in Jordan since 2015, began her journey in the Middle East during a college study abroad program in Israel. This experience sparked her interest in the region and led her to explore the lives of its people, particularly women from Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. Her book combines memoir and essays, detailing her family's journey and the stories of the women she has met throughout her time in the region.
A significant theme in Surls' work is the resilience and generosity of the women she encountered, especially Syrian refugees. She recounted her volunteer work with an NGO, where she visited refugee homes to assess their needs. Through these interactions, she witnessed the warmth and hospitality of Arab culture, even amidst the challenges faced by these communities. Surls emphasized that despite the trauma and hardships, these women continue to express joy and generosity, offering a stark contrast to the often negative portrayals of the Middle East in Western media.
The meeting highlighted the importance of storytelling in bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding. Surls aims to challenge the misconceptions surrounding the Middle East by sharing personal narratives that reveal the humanity and commonalities shared across cultures. Her work serves as a reminder that, beyond the headlines of conflict and crisis, there are real lives and stories that deserve to be heard.
As the discussion concluded, Surls encouraged attendees to engage with her book as a means of gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities of life in the Middle East. Her insights not only reflect her personal journey but also aim to foster empathy and connection among readers, ultimately contributing to a more nuanced perspective of a region often misunderstood.
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