Join Gefsky Community Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff for a powerful conversation with Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for Barack and Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, as she shares insights from her bold new book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame and Try to Erase Us (coming September 2025). In this deeply personal work, Hurwitz explores her journey back to Judaism—confronting antisemitism, rediscovering Jewish wisdom and embracing her heritage with pride.

Attendees will receive a copy of As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us.

Are you interested in hosting or attending a women’s watch party for this event? Please contact Emma Renfrew at erenfrew@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5212.

Sarah Hurwitz is the author of Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)—which was a finalist for two National Jewish Book Awards and for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature—and of As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Shame, Blame, and Try To Erase Us, which won the Natan Notable Book Award. She was a White House speechwriter from 2009 to 2017, starting out as a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and then serving as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. Prior to working in the White House, Hurwitz was the chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign. Hurwitz is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and has completed training to be a chaplain, which she does on a volunteer basis at a hospital near her home.