Events

I'm headed back to my hometown to talk with some lovely seniors about Zaidy's War.

I davened upstairs in the Young Israel of Midwood shul during my teenage years, and I'm delighted to bring my talk over to the organization.

Good memories from the place, and I hope to make more.

What a lovely pitch:

"What makes you exceptional is that you are the reason this story exists on paper at all. Without you it disappears.

I would love to have a conversation with you on Echo Chamber about Zaidy's War, what it meant to carry your grandfather's story into the world and what we lose when the last witnesses to history are no longer here to speak for themselves."

I am not exceptional, but I am a storyteller, and I'm excited for this conversation.

I'm dropping in remotely with another book club who will have read Zaidy's War, and whose "graduation ceremony" I will be happy to attend and answer questions.

And I quote, from the Podcast pitch:

"At Freedom Unlocked, we have conversations centered around resilience, purpose, faith, history, personal growth, and the stories that shape who we become. I believe your family's remarkable history and your passion for preserving it would deeply inspire our listeners and remind them of the enduring strength of hope.

Your work reminds us that while history records events, stories preserve humanity—and the courage of one generation can continue to shape the...

Some of the seniors at this prestigious community organization are reading Zaidy's War, and some haven't yet. Both cohorts have collectively invited me to chat about the book with them once.

Looking forward to the talk and the conversation.

It seems that my experiences bring Zaidy's War to the masses has positioned me as a guru of a sort in regards to navigating life.

All I learned was taught to me by standing on the shoulders of giants, and my grandfather was the most giant of all.

I'll quote him a lot.

We'll be talking about Zaidy's War, and we'll be covering these salient topics:

* What inspired you to preserve your grandfather’s remarkable story. * The emotional experience of turning family memories into a published memoir. * The lessons your grandfather’s life still offers today’s generation. * How resilience is shaped through impossible circumstances. * The importance of preserving personal histories before they’re lost. * Why stories of survival continue to matter in today’s world.

And...

I'm shipping up to Boston! Well, close. I'm bringing my Zaidy's War book talk to New England, and it will be my first Massachusetts foray.

Still working on presenting in, and to, all 50 states! 33 to go!

Here's all the information: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | Zaidy’s War: Author Talk with Martin Bodek | Boyden Library

The pitch:

"Your journey as a technologist, writer, and author with more than two decades of storytelling experience offers a unique perspective on creativity, discipline, and the power of sharing ideas that matter."

The response:

"I'm game. Let's talk about Zaidy's War."

I'll be talking about Zaidy's War with Miss Liz, who is "A Woman Making A Difference With A Cup of Tea."

The TEA?: Teaching Educational Awareness.

This promises to be a charming conversation.

I'm shipping up to Boston again!

LimmudBoston is an annual Jewish learning festival, and I've been called in to deliver a haggadah history seminar.

Here's some of the information for now, but this will be more formalized - registration, et al - as we get closer:

Center Makor | LimmudBoston at Center Makor - Center Makor

Qesher, connection in Hebrew, is a project that introduces Jewish life around the world.

They have a virtual book club.

I'm talking about Zaidy's War to that book club.

I'm barnstorming through the state, aren't I? Delighted to travel down to talk to what promises to be a large crowd about Zaidy's War.

Cherry Hill is actually a suburb of Philly, so folks from there will be dropping in. Very cool.

The lively and lovely book club at Temple Emanuel will be reading Zaidy's War, and upon conclusion, I'll drop in via zoom (or in person - we shall see), read some excerpts, and will be delighted to engage with their commentary and questions.

My wife and I are huge, HUGE Punderdome fans. The HUGEST! We visit every chance we get.

This is Punderdome: Punderdome - Wikipedia

I have been invited to deliver a PPPP (Previously Prepared Punderdome Puntification) during the 2-minute interval when the stars of the show are rushingly creating stand-up routines based on a prompt at the front of the stage.

I will entertain the crowd during this interval, and I'm going to knock their socks off. I'm currently drilling to ensure I come in under the...

Talking about Zaidy's War on a podcast that focuses on "Books, Writers, and their Craft." I love books, I'm a writer, and I suppose I'm crafty.

Yet another place pleased with my Zaidy's War talk, who is bringing me back for a haggadah talk. This is a repeated happenstance that is a complete and utter totally satisfying pleasure.

My streak continues! Every year since publishing Zaidy's War, I've been booked for a talk on Yom HaShoah. I'm honored to do so again in yet another library, which is always the most wonderful place to talk about books. It's home.

Talking about Zaidy's War in a delicate manner to youngsters and their parents, as the calendar leads up to all the "Yom"s.