Woman of Letters tells the remarkable story of a writer driven to create, of a mother and her daughters, of memory and identity, of legacy and loss. A Russian-born Jewish author, Irène Némirovsky quickly rose to literary celebrity in her adopted France. But her fame and accomplishment, and even her conversion to Catholicism, were not enough to save her when war came; she was deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Among the few items that she left behind was a valise that contained a leather notebook. Haunted by painful memories, her daughters avoided opening it until Denise read it more than fifty years after their mother’s death. She discovered not a diary, but a major literary work: the first two parts of an unfinished five-part novel, Suite Française. The exhibition illustrates Némirovsky’s life and her extraordinary literary gift to the world with stunning and heartbreaking artifacts, including the original manuscript and the valise, never before exhibited.

To complement this one-of-a-kind exhibition, the Museum will present a series of enlightening discussions with Némirovsky scholars and historians that explores this story of identity, family, and loss.

After two sold-out programs, the Museum of Jewish Heritage has added more opportunities to learn about Irène Némirovsky. On November 12, French biographer Olivier Philipponnat will discuss new information about Némirovsky with exhibition curator Ivy Barsky. The U.S. launch of French best-seller The Journal of Hélène Berr will be held on November 19 with translator David Bellos in conversation with Mariette Job, niece of the book’s subject. On December 8, Ruth Franklin, editor, The New Republic, Susan Suleiman, professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University, and Maurice Samuels, professor of French, Yale University, will discuss Irène Némirovsky and the Jewish Question. Nextbook senior editor Gabriel Sanders will moderate this provocative panel.

In addition, the Museum will host a French film series in tandem with the Woman of Letters exhibition. Curated by Professor Dudley Andrew, Yale University, the series will begin on Sunday, January 18, with a double bill of David Golder at 1 P.M. and Les Jeux Interdits at 3:30 P.M. On Wednesday, January 21 at 7 P.M., the Museum will feature Lacombe Lucien. The series will conclude on Sunday, January 25 with another double bill, showing Stavisky at 1 P.M. and Monsieur Klein, 3:30 P.M. Speakers and information will be announced.

Tickets to the November 19 and December 8 events are $10 adults, $7 students/seniors, and free for members.

Tickets for the November 12 event are $10 adults, $7 students/seniors, and $5 for members.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mjhnyc.org, or by calling the Museum’s box office at 646.437.4202.