Upcoming Events

News

GERMANY BOOK TOUR

Germany (September 2022) - Kris, Irene & John visits Germany to promote the German edition of her book (Wir hatten Glück, noch am Leben zu sein, Schoeffling + Co.) and to visit places her father lived and worked. It was a remarkable and moving trip. Read more.

THE NEWEST EDITION of Shores Beyond Shores LAUNCHES

Dunkirk, NY (September 19, 2021) - The newest American edition of Irene’s book (From Holocaust to Hope: Shores Beyond Shores - A Bergen-Belsen Survivor’s True Story) is launched through Leapfrog Press with a new format (and beautiful cover), allowing for a lower price ($16.00 instead of $20.00) in response to educators asking for a more affordable version.

Kris and Irene Talk the Book & Gender Equality

Online (August 11, 2021) - Close to 300 people turned out to hear Kris interview Irene through Together, Women Rise, a community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality. Irene was one of their most popular events ever. See it here.

Shores Beyond Shores is Getting Lots of Attention in Germany

Germany (April 18, 2020) - Irene, along with co-authors John Bidwell and Kris Holloway and publicist Mary Bisbee-Beek, was supposed to be in Germany this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, but that was cancelled with COVID-19. That doesn’t mean Irene hasn’t been busy or that Shores Beyond Shores (SBS) isn’t getting attention. There has been a lot of coverage in German. So, dust off your German dictionary and read/listen below.

Podcast (in German / auf Deutsch): Actress Gala Winter reads from Shore Beyond Shores, and discuses with Barbara Heine and Agnes Bührig.

Der Spiegel (article in German / Artikel auf Deutsch): A wonderful article by Caroline Schmidt that touches on Irene’s 3 miracles and the vital role that Irene’s father played in the survival of the family. READ TRANSLATION

Die Welt (article in German / Artikel auf Deutsch): An interview with Caroline Schmidt and Constantin Schreiber. Irene emphasizes triumph over personal tragedy.

Deutschlandfunk Kultur (article in German / Artikel auf Deutsch): Having to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen online, due to COVID-19.

Shores beyond Shores Named 2019 Jewish Book Award Finalist

New York (January 15, 2020) - The Jewish Book Council awarded Shores Beyond Shores a 2019 Finalist in the category of Autobiography and Memoir.

The Nation­al Jew­ish Book Awards were estab­lished by the Jew­ish Book Coun­cil in 1950 in order to rec­og­nize out­stand­ing works of Jew­ish lit­er­a­ture. It is the longest-run­ning awards pro­gram of its kind.

Shores Beyond Shores Launches in England

London (November 7, 2019) - Thanks to TSB Books (a division of Can of Worms) and publisher Tobais Steed for the UK book launch. As a result, Shores Beyond Shores just became exponentially larger and more available with the UK marketplace!

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY TAKES NOTE OF Shores beyond shores

September 18, 2019 - Publisher’s Weekly, a preeminent authority in the world of publishing, talks about the unique path of Irene’s book, Shores Beyond Shores, including the recent support of new publisher Tobias Steed. Read more.

SHORES BEYOND SHORES GOES TO NEW PUBLISHER

London, England (June 6, 2019) - Publisher Tobias Steed acquired world English language rights to Shores Beyond Shores, which will publish in the UK on 8th November, to coincide with commemorations of Kristallnacht, and in the US on 15th September with a launch at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. Read more.

WASHINGTON, DC WELCOMES IRENE, Kris & John

Washington, DC (November 13-14, 2018) - Irene presented at Washington Hebrew Congregation, and at the Library of Congress with co-authors Kris and John as part of a an annual event cosponsored with George Washington University in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass). See video of presentation.

“SHORES BEYOND SHORES” NAMED 2018 GREAT GROUP READ

New York, NY (October 4, 2018) - The National Reading Group Month Great Group Reads Committee has selected 20 books for their 2018 Great Group Reads, including Irene’s “Shores Beyond Shores.”

The titles were selected on the basis of their appeal to reading groups, which seek books that open up lively conversations about a myriad of timely and provocative and diverse topics, from the intimate dynamics of family and personal relationships to major cultural and world issues.

NORTHAMPTON BOOK LAUNCH

Northampton, MA (June 20, 2018) - A full house of 120+ attendees greeted Irene at the Ann Arbor City Library for the launch of her book. Listen to Bill Newman's interview of Irene with WHMP. 

Ann Arbor book Launch

Ann Arbor, MI (May 8, 2018) - A full house of 371 attendees greeted Irene at the Ann Arbor City Library for the launch of her book. Read more in The Michigan Daily.

Clinton Presidential Center

Little Rock, AR (January 31, 2018) - The Clinton Center’s outdoor installation, The Anne Frank Tree, provides a unique opportunity for students of all ages to learn more about the ongoing struggle for social justice and human rights. In observance of the Jewish holiday Tu BiShvat, which means “New Year for Trees,” we will host a free public program featuring Holocaust survivor, Dr. Irene Butter.

Past Events

Colleges & Universities

Ovations Forum Speaker, Springfield Technical Community College
University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Denison University, Women’s Studies, Granville, OH
Macalester College, African Studies, St. Paul, MN
Carleton College, Anthropology/Francophone Studies, Northfield, MN
The Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Ann Arbor, MI
Hale Black Cultural Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Ohio State University – Newark, Newark, OH (with live West African music by Mady Kouyate) 
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Mount Watchusett Community College, Gardner, MA
Wells College, Aurora, NY
Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA
Western New England College, Social Work Department, Springfield, MA
Simon's Rock College, Great Barrington, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (with Anita Shreve), Worcester, MA
Elms College, Chicopee, MA
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Simmons College, Boston, MA (Common Read Book)
Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
Assumption College, Worcester, MA
Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA (keynote speaker for conference)
Worcester Academy, Worcester, MA
Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, VT
UMASS, Amherst, MA(keynote speaker for Writers Conference '08, Common Read Book '09) 
East Stroudsburg University, PA (keynote for International Week) 
UMASS - Worcester Medical School, MA
Harvard University Medical School, MA
Worcester State College, Diversity Lecture Series, Worcester, MA
Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence, MA, (White Lecture Fund Series)
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (global health classes and campus-wide lecture)
School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT (Int'l Women's Day lecture) 
Stonehill College, MA
Wingate University, Wingate, NC (Common Read Book)
Springfield College, Springfield, MA
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Emporia State University, Emporia, KS (Keynote)
Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH (Keynote)
Saint Joseph's College, West Hartford, CT (Common Read Book)
Westfield State University, Westfield, MA (Common Read Book)
Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA (Common Read Book)

Schools

Granville High School, Granville, OH
Worthington High School, Worthington, OH
Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor, MI
Kearsarge Regional High School, North Sutton, NH
Gilmour Academy, Cleveland, OH
Hampshire High School, Westhampton, MA
St. John's Prep, Danvers, MA (Model U.N. Conference) 

Libraries

Weston Library, Weston, MA
Ann Arbor Public Library, Ann Arbor, MI
Tracy Memorial Library, New London, NH
Granville Public Library, Granville, OH
Holyoke Public Library, Holyoke, MA
West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield, MA
Rondo Community Library, St. Paul, MN
Gale Free Library, Holden, MA
Buckland-Shelburne Falls Public Library, Shelburne Falls, MA
Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, MA
Boston Public Library, Boston, MA
Athol Public Library, Athol, MA
Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow, MA
Groton Public Library, Groton, MA
Duxbury Free Library, Duxbury, MA
Leverett Library, Leverett, MA
Enfield Public Library, Enfield, CT
South Hadley Public Library, South Hadley, MA
Southampton Library, Southampton, MA
Meekins Library, Williamsburg, MA
Lilly Case Library, Springfield, NH
Newton Free Library, Newton, MA 

Businesses

Q, Ltd., Ann Arbor, MI
Quality Coaches, Minneapolis, MN
CEO, NYC, NY
IBM Headquarters, NY
Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
InResonance, Inc., Northampton, MA

Non-profits & faith groups

Human Rights Speaker Series, Hevreh of South Berkshire, Gt. Barrington, MA
First Presbyterian Church, Mission/Outreach Committee, Granville, OH
Ecumenical Presentation, Granville, OH
Rotary International, Granville, OH
Kiwanis, Granville, OH
Rotary International, New London, NH
WomensTrust, Inc., Wilmot Flat, NH
Ladies Left of Center, New London, NH
Walker Health Clinic, Minneapolis, MN
St. Matthews Episcopal Church, St. Paul, MN
Grub Street Creative Writing Center, Boston MA (weekend writing workshop) 
Zonta International, Palmer, MA
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Longmeadow, MA
World Bank, Washington, DC
Peace Corps, Washington, DC
St. Anne's Church, Chicopee, MA
National Writers Union Local 5's Writers Night Out Series, Easthampton, MA
United Methodist Church, Westford, MA
Women In Philanthropy, Holyoke, MA
Snow Farm, Williamsburg, MA
BOLD, Easthampton, MA
BASAA (Boston Area Study Abroad Advisors), Boston, MA
United Methodist Church, Northampton, MA
Massachusetts Council for International Education, Shrewsbury, MA
South Deerfield Women's Club, South Deerfield, MA
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, New Canaan, CT
Dining for Women, GA
AWP Conference, Chicago, IL
Congregation B'nai Israel, "Night Around the Table" event, Northampton, MA
WriteAngles Conference, South Hadley, MA
Lathrop Community, Easthampton, MA

Bookstores

Broadside Bookshop, Northampton, MA
Odyssey Bookstore, South Hadley, MA
Nicola’s Books, Ann Arbor, MI
Crazy Wisdom Tea Room, Ann Arbor, MI (with live West African music by Mady Kouyate) 
Misty Valley Books, Chester, VT (with 5 other authors chosen as New Voices for 2007) 
Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA
Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
Mt. Chocorua World Fellowship Center, Mt. Chocorua, NH
Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, VT
Women's Bookshop, Auckland, New Zealand 

Book Clubs (in person or via speaker phone) 

Northampton, MA (19) 
Amherst, MA (2) 
Portland, OR (1)
Maynard, MA (1) 
Windsor, CT (1) 
Ann Arbor, MI (6)
Sacramento, CA (1) 
Sherborn, MA (1) 
Chicopee, MA (2) 
Detroit, MI (1) 
Girdwood, AK(1) 
Atlanta, GA (1) 
Minneapolis, MN (3) 
New York, NY (1) 
Haydenville, MA (1) 
San Francisco, CA (1) 
Redlands, CA (1) 
Brookline, MA (1) 
Boston, MA (1) 
Westfield, MA (1) 
Sturbridge, MA (1) 
Worcester, MA (1) 
San Jose, CA (1)