Elena: A Hand Made Life

03/09/2025
61 min
[video_views]

A refugee twice before the age of 17, Elena Zadik defied expectations to become a doctor during the World War 2. After losing her parents at Auschwitz, she rebuilt her life with perseverance, relying on a stethoscope, a jar of herring, and a hearing aid that was often left off. Longlisted for the Wingate Prize, artist Miriam Gold tells the story of her resourceful, often difficult, grandmother and their unconventional bond, weaving together words, illustration, and collage to capture a remarkable life shaped by survival and self-reliance.

An event from Jewish Book Week 2025

About the speakers

Miriam Gold

Miriam Gold is an artist and teacher from London. She has completed international residencies and been commissioned by the V&A and the Barbican, and was selected for the Emerging Writer’s Programme at the London Library for her first book. Miriam holds an MA in Fine Art from Central St Martins.

Claire Berliner

Claire Berliner is London Library Head of Programmes, which includes overseeing The London Library Emerging Writers Programme. She is also a writer and editor.

Watch Next

Back to ALL Videos

Elena: A Hand Made Life

03/09/2025
|
61 min

Speaker

Miriam Gold

Miriam Gold is an artist and teacher from London. She has completed international residencies and been commissioned by the V&A and the Barbican, and...

Claire Berliner

Claire Berliner is London Library Head of Programmes, which includes overseeing The London Library Emerging Writers Programme. She is also a writer and editor.

...