ESTEE cohen LAUB
I and the Village:
Daughter of the Kibbutz
Born and raised in Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk, Estee recounts a life shaped by communal upbringing and the turbulent history of Israel. In this moving memoir through the persecution of her family during the Nazi mass killing of Jews in Lithuania, life in a young Kibbutz during World War II, and the struggles for individuality in an Egalitarian setting.
As Estee navigates love and loss amid the Six-Day War, her narrative intertwined personal stories, historical perspectives, and reflection on trauma, survival and the silent legacy of the Holocaust.
As the dance of life unfolds, Estee's path leads to a transformative summer, a love story with Shal, and a journey towards self-discovery. Torn between her ambitions, love and duty, Estee faces the consequences of her choices made during the Yom-Kippur War, culminating in a heartbreaking separation. It is a captivating Coming-Of-Age Story.
About Estee Cohen Laub and Her Memoir
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About Estee Cohen Laub and Her Memoir *
About Estee Cohen Laub
Estee Cohen Laub is the author of the memoir I And the Village: Daughter of the Kibbutz. Through her writing, Estee explores her unique personal background and the formative experiences that have shaped both her perspective and her narrative style.
Early Life and Education
Born in Israel in 1952, Estee is a Sabra—a term denoting a native-born Israeli. Her upbringing on Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk deeply influenced her worldview and later informed her writing. The communal lifestyle on the kibbutz instilled values that would stay with her throughout her life. In 1975, following her passion for dance, Estee moved to the United States to study at the Martha Graham School in New York City.
Professional Career
Estee has devoted over forty years to her work as a clinical social worker and creative art therapist in private practice. In addition, she designed and led a dance therapy program for special needs children, a role she held for nearly twenty years. Her professional journey highlights her enduring commitment to helping others through both therapeutic and artistic means.
Personal Life
Today, Estee resides in Stony Brook, Long Island.
About the Book
Estee’s memoir, I And the Village: Daughter of the Kibbutz, recounts a life closely connected to her communal upbringing during a turbulent period in Israel’s history. The book details her family’s history, including the persecution they endured during the Nazi mass killings of Jews in Lithuania, their experiences on a developing kibbutz during World War II, and Estee’s quest for self-expression within an egalitarian community.
Throughout the memoir, Estee navigates themes of love and loss set against the backdrop of the Six-Day War. She skillfully blends personal stories, historical background, and thoughtful reflections on trauma, survival, and the legacy of the Holocaust. The narrative follows Estee through important moments: a transformative summer, a romance with Shal, and her journey toward self-understanding. As she weighs her ambitions, relationships, and responsibilities, Estee faces the consequences of choices made during the Yom Kippur War, culminating in a significant parting. The memoir stands as a powerful coming-of-age story.
For more information:
Vanguard Press
Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Publishers Ltd.
Selected Quotes
“You are the children of our dream; you are the products of a great social experiment…..
You are the future……. The pride of our community…., and you’ll be raised and educated accordingly…. with equality, justice, and material modesty.” (Misho, page 24)
“My father gave me his spirit vision and determination to reach for my dreams. My mother gave me her memories, and life story…. With which I weave the tapestry of my own life”. (page 107)
“At eight years of age, I found my visionary wings, when I began creating dances”.
“When I danced, I went into a kind of trance, free of inhibition. My body became an instrument of wild energy…
I was not dancing the dance, but rather, the dance was dancing me”. (page 27)
Media
Estee Cohen Laub was a guest on TBR’s local podcast called the Pressroom Afterhour: Celebrity Podcast. Michael Vincenti interviews Estee and the talk about the book, life in Israel, and Estee’s life journey that lead her across the world. Listen to the entire interview here.
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