We had the good fortune of connecting with Harry Stern and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Harry, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Since my early teen years, risk-taking has energized my life. My pre-teen and teen years were spent in New York City, adjacent to Harlem. Signs of intimidation from gang violence had to be suppressed. Those years were the foundation of showing no fear. Rock climbing and hiking in treacherous areas came easily. Leaping forward a couple of decades, six years in Israel as a newly developed country surrounded by powerful enemies helped shape the next decades of my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I received a professional scholarship for a two-year degree at Columbia University School of Social Work. We moved to Israel in 1970, where I was appointed Director of Community Organization for Southern Tel Aviv. Two years after arriving in Israel, I was offered a National Institute of Health four-year full scholarship, which I accepted. I was awarded a Doctor of Social Welfare degree from Columbia University in 1977. We returned to Israel, where I joined the faculty of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. After six years in Israel, we returned to the US and eventually settled in Atlanta, where I became the CEO of the Marcus Jewish Community Center for 16 years. I always aspired to be an author, and I have been fascinated by Middle Eastern politics and ideologies. Only after retiring was I able to focus on writing, something I’d aspired to all my life. The road to a successful career was challenging. I realized that an honest and consistent support group was invaluable to my career path. My loving family provided me with that support.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We have been contributing members to The High Museum for thirty years, so we would spend the day wandering the exhibits. We are impressed with the breadth of the museum. Additionally, Atlanta offers a multitude of well-maintained city and county parks. We hike through them whenever possible, so weather permitting, we’d also spend time in the beautiful outdoors! The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is an exciting and innovative institution offering hundreds of programs to the entire Atlanta community. We’d have dinner at La Tavola in Virginia-Highlands.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lora Stern Sommer, part-time P.R. manager and full-time daughter, is of immense help in promoting my novels through her public relations firm in Atlanta.

My wife, Aviva, is an invaluable, honest critic of my work. Her insights (and bravery) help make my work more readable and logical. Our two sons are immensely supportive, offering intelligent and invaluable critiques. Ilan is a scientist at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Ayal is a professional actor and drama coach in Atlanta.

Website: https://harrysternbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574988389097

Image Credits
Headshot Credit: www.AlbrightPhotography.net

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