The Simi Valley/Moorpark Hadassah group, L'Dor Vador, will host guest speaker and author Anat Ben-Ishai from 2 to 4 p.m. Sun., April 19 at the activity center at the Simi Hills Retirement Center, 950 Sunset Garden Lane in Simi Valley.

Ben-Ishai is the author of a memoir, "A Prickly Pear: A Sabra in Two Worlds."

She will discuss growing up during World War II and during the independence of Israel and how her experiences brought her to the United States. She will talk about her preference of California over Jerusalem.

The fee for the program is $5 per person at the door. Book purchases are additional. To RSVP, for parking directions or more information, call Sherry Loewenstein at (818) 882-4420.