Award-Winning Author · Professor · Scholar
Preserving Jewish memory. Bridging history with the age of artificial intelligence.
The true story of Friddie Stoleru — a Jewish Romanian woman who found hope through poetry in the darkest of circumstances. These stories must be told. These voices must be heard.
Memoir · Historical Fiction
Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again: Friddie's Story
About Dr. Rosenthal
"Stories carry greater messages for all of us — it is essential to speak up for those who have been silenced."
Dr. Roni Rosenthal is an award-winning author, writer, and Language and Literature Professor at the University of Maryland system. She has dedicated her career to recovering and amplifying the voices of Jewish communities whose histories are at risk of being forgotten — particularly those of Romanian Jewry under fascist and communist rule.
Her scholarly work explores the intersection of Holocaust history, Jewish cultural understanding, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence as a tool for historical preservation and sociopolitical analysis. Dr. Rosenthal is a recognized authority on how AI can be responsibly leveraged to deepen our understanding of the Jewish condition — past and present.
A mother, reader, dancer, genealogy advocate, and frequent speaker at universities and cultural institutions across the country, she believes firmly in the power of education, communication, and empowerment as instruments for justice.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Rosenthal's work bridges centuries of Jewish heritage with the cutting edge of artificial intelligence — ensuring the lessons of history remain accessible and relevant in an increasingly digital world.
Recovering and contextualizing the lived experiences of Jewish communities across Eastern Europe during the Holocaust — with particular focus on Romanian Jewry under fascist and communist rule. Bringing hidden archives and family testimonies into the historical record.
A passionate proponent of using artificial intelligence to surface, translate, and interpret historical documents at scale. Dr. Rosenthal examines AI's usability for Jewish cultural scholarship and advocates for ethically designed AI systems that honour minority historical perspectives.
Bridging contemporary sociopolitical structures with deep Jewish cultural literacy. Her seminars and published work foster cross-cultural dialogue, combat antisemitism, and illuminate how Jewish identity has been shaped — and continues to be shaped — by global history.
Published Works
These stories must be told. These voices must be heard.
Memoir · Historical Fiction · World War II
Friddie's Story
Based on the true experiences of a Jewish Romanian family, this award-winning novel follows Friddie Stoleru — born 1919 in Bucharest — who at 18 married a charming scientist named Freddy, only to see him vanish two weeks later while she was unjustly accused of a crime she never committed.
She spent nine years in a Romanian prison, followed by four years in a communist labour camp. Despite these conditions, Friddie found solace in poetry. Alongside the stories of her Aunt Rosa, Uncle David, and cousins who uprooted their lives to start again in Israel, this is an unforgettable chronicle of resilience, family, and hope along the Danube.
Available on Amazon
Poetry · Historical · Holocaust Literature
Friddie's Poems
Despite the harsh and inhumane conditions of imprisonment and forced labour, Friddie Stoleru found solace in writing poetry. These poems, discovered after her death in hundreds of letters and postcards shared with her cousin Aaurica, speak of joy, loss, fear, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.
Restored, translated, and brought back to life by her family, these verses stand as a testament to the power of words as survival — a remarkable literary companion to Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again.
Available on Amazon
Recognition
Where the Lilacs Bloom Once Again has been recognized by leading literary institutions worldwide.
Literary Titan
"A thought-provoking and impassioned novel — tragic, beautiful, evocative, and ultimately uplifting."
Pencraft
"Remarkable literary quality, artistic excellence, and widely beloved among our readers."
LitPick
"The author has a talent for conveying emotion in a way that is both honest and moving."
Historical Fiction Co.
"A poignant, riveting tale of unsung heroes — commendable for sharing this family's remarkable story."
Outstanding Creator
"Masterful storytelling — captivating from start to finish and impossible to put down."
Speaking & Education
Dr. Rosenthal is a dynamic and sought-after speaker at universities, schools, and cultural institutions. Her sessions combine rigorous scholarship with compelling personal narrative.
Holocaust Memory & Testimony
Personal testimony, archival research, and the moral responsibility of preserving survivor accounts.
AI & Jewish Historical Archives
How machine learning can unlock untranslated Yiddish, Hebrew, and Ladino documents — and the ethical considerations that must guide this work.
Romanian Jewry & the Communist Era
A deep dive into the persecution of Jewish communities under Romanian fascism and communism — an often-overlooked chapter of 20th-century history.
The Jewish Condition in Contemporary Geopolitics
Bridging historical Jewish sociopolitical experience with today's global landscape — antisemitism, identity, resilience, and recognition.
The Power of Narrative in Survival
How storytelling and poetry functioned as acts of resistance and psychological survival in labour camps and prisons.
Book a Seminar
Bring Dr. Rosenthal to Your Institution
Dr. Rosenthal is available for keynote addresses, academic seminars, panel discussions, school programs, and community events. Sessions can be tailored for undergraduate, graduate, or general audiences.
Inquire About BookingGet in Touch
Whether you're a reader, educator, journalist, or researcher, Dr. Rosenthal welcomes meaningful correspondence.