MJCCA Book Fest Presents Mimi Zieman in conversation with Holly Firfer - Tap Dancing on Everest
"Gorgeous...so full of joy, zest and fun and yet with some profound thoughts. Once started you cannot put it down." —Sir Chris Bonington, author of "Everest the Hard Way"
The 33rd Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA welcomes physician and author Mimi Zieman to discuss her new book, "Tap Dancing on Everest." Zieman will appear in conversation with Reach TV Networks' Holly Firfer.
Sponsored by Discover Dunwoody and in partnership with the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN).
A Cappella will have copies of "Tap Dancing on Everest" available for purchase at the venue.
About the Book
The plan was outrageous: A small expedition of four climbers would attempt a new route on the East Face of Mt. Everest, considered the most remote and dangerous side of the mountain, summitted only once before. They would climb without using supplemental oxygen, porter support, or chance for rescue. Mimi Zieman would accompany the climbers as the doctor—and only woman—although she was still in her third year of medical school.
Full of self-doubt, Zieman grappled with whether to go but couldn't resist the call of the wilderness and mountains. On Everest, when three climbers disappeared during their summit attempt, she reached the knife edge of her limits and dug deeply to fight for the climbers' lives and to find her voice.
Sparkling with suspense and vulnerability, "Tap Dancing on Everest" is a true survival story about the risks we take to become our most authentic selves. In this inspiring coming-of-age travel memoir that includes solo hiking through Nepal, Zieman weaves her childhood as the daughter of Jewish immigrants raised in 1970's New York City, her father a Holocaust survivor, with adventure, medicine, and empowerment. She captures the curiosity and awe of a young woman as she faces down messages to stay small and safe and ventures into the unknown.
About the Author
Mimi Zieman is a mother, physician, and speaker, who writes about medical topics to empower people with information and writes creatively to explore the meaning behind experiences we share. Her memoir, Tap Dancing on Everest, is about the risks we take to become our truest selves. She is also the author of "The Post-Roe Monologues" and "Managing Contraception." Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Sun Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Dorothy Parker's Ashes, NBC News THINK, The Forward, and other publications. Ranking high on her list of favorite things are a good adventure, dancing, and a rich cup of coffee. Her free newsletter combines medical news, art and nature, available on Substack. She is @mimiziemanmd on social media.
About the Conversation Partner
Holly Firfer is the Vice President of Programming and Development and an on-air Anchor and Correspondent at Reach TV Networks. She has also worked for CNN and CBS Radio.
