Author Sharon Cameron to Visit New Haven Library
The author will discuss her new historical novel highlighting the survival story of Selma Wijnberg and Chaim Engel.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Books
Author Sharon Cameron will visit the Ives Main Library in New Haven on Oct. 14, 2026. The event follows the Oct. 6, 2026, release of her new book, Up from the Ashes, which chronicles the escape of Selma Wijnberg and Chaim Engel from the Sobibor extermination camp.
Why it matters
The book explores the harrowing 1943 uprising at Sobibor, offering a historical perspective on the survival of prisoners who escaped Nazi imprisonment. By sharing the story of the Engels, Cameron highlights the endurance and resilience of those who escaped during the war.
Approximately 300 prisoners escaped the Sobibor extermination camp during a 1943 uprising, though only 50 of those escapees are known to have survived the war. Following their escape, the couple traveled for 10 days by hiding during the day and moving at night.
The players
Sharon Cameron
She is the author of the historical novel Up from the Ashes.
Selma Wijnberg
She was a Holocaust survivor who met her husband at the Sobibor extermination camp and later moved to the United States.
Chaim Engel
He was a Holocaust survivor who escaped the Sobibor camp and lived in the United States until his death in 2003.
The details
The novel documents the escape of Selma Wijnberg and Chaim Engel, who met at the Sobibor camp and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1957. The couple spent 15 years sharing their Holocaust experiences with students before Chaim Engel died in 2003 at age 87 and Selma Engel died in 2018 at age 96.
Timeline
The Sobibor uprising occurred in 1943.
Selma and Chaim Engel were liberated in 1944.
The couple immigrated to the United States in 1957.
The novel Up from the Ashes was released on Oct. 6, 2026.
The author visits the Ives Main Library on Oct. 14, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
Historical fiction grounded in the 1943 Sobibor extermination camp uprising continues to serve as a vital medium for preserving individual survivor experiences. By focusing on specific personal narratives, these works distinguish themselves in a crowded market that often favors broader accounts of the Holocaust.
Readers interested in the story can attend the author's appearance at the Ives Main Library to learn more about the research behind the novel. The book itself is available for purchase or loan following its recent release.
The takeaway
The story of Selma Wijnberg and Chaim Engel serves as a poignant reminder of the power of individual endurance against historical atrocities. Readers are encouraged to explore personal histories to gain a deeper understanding of the human cost of the Holocaust.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming author events, visit the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hour.
