From Southerner to Settler: Unexpected Lessons from the Land of Israel

Growing up as an Orthodox Jewish daughter of an African immigrant in the colorful city of New Orleans, Susannah Schild always felt like she didn't quite fit in. Amidst Mardi Gras parades and swim meets, the idea of one day building a life in Israel seemed far-fetched. But years later, she found herself standing on a remote hilltop in the Judean Mountains, surrounded by sweeping valleys and vineyards, escorting her daughter towards a wedding canopy. Every member of the tiny wedding party, including the groom, spoke only Hebrew. How did she end up here?

Told with humor and warmth, through tears and heartache, From Southerner to Settler captures the beauty, the difficulty, and the strength of one woman connecting to her people and discovering the depth of the land that is their home. From the perils of parenthood in a foreign country, to a bar mitzva turned mud bath, to falling in love with Israel's outdoors, her stories about daily life in Israel will draw you in....and open your eyes to another side of the Holy Land.