TESTIMONIES

“Uprooting the Poison Tree is the riveting story of a woman who finds wisdom and joy through a journey of startling self-discovery and profound healing. Calling on the languages of science and spirit, Myra Weiner shares with us the antidotes to the poisons of life. Through awareness and compassion, she transforms those toxins into lessons well-learned and a life well-lived.”

Rabbi Shefa Gold, Author of Are We There Yet? Travel as a Spiritual PracticePublished by Ben Yehuda Press

About Rabbi Shefa Gold: 

Rabbi Shefa Gold is an American rabbi and scholar who serves as director of C-DEEP, The Center for Devotional, energy and Ecstatic Practive in Jemez Springs, NM.  She develops and leads Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual growth.

With her focus on Hebrew chanting, Rabbi Shefa presents workshops based on chanting, ecstatic meditation, and Jewish subjects. Also, she is available for performing services as a rabbi. She developed and taught the Kol Zimra Chant Leaders’ Training program (through ALEPH) for many years.

She has written several books (including The Magic of Hebrew Chant and Torah Journeys) and has published several CDs (such as Chantsformations and Shir Delight). See her website for additional information: Click here

“Weiner has created an exceptional work authentically unveiling highlights and nadirs of her experience in a time when few females entered the science world. She relates how she used these experiences to find the “antidotes” to toxic elements of her past, while finding more antidotes through religion and spirituality. This book is a great read for anyone, as she introduces readers to a life in science, and to toxicology as a profession.”

Curtis Klaassen, MS, PhD, DABT, ATS, FAASLD, University Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics. College of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS (retired), President of the Society of Toxicology (1990-1991), President of the International Union of Toxicology (1992-1995), Editor of Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (2nd-9th editions) and Founding Editor of Toxicological Sciences (1997-2002).

About Dr. Curtis Klaassen:

Curtis D. Klaassen, PhD, DABT, ATS, was a Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and was instrumental in establishing his department as one of the top departments for research and training in toxicology in the world. Dr. Klaassen’s research interests have centered on how we adapt to chemicals in the environment. His studies have included the hepatobiliary disposition of xenobiotics, the toxicity of cadmium, the hepatotoxicity of chemicals, and mechanisms of chemical-induced thyroid tumors. Dr. Klaassen is editor of Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, considered the premier textbook in the field. He has twice been named a “Highly Cited Researcher” (2002, 2007) by the Institute for Scientific Information, a designation held by less than one half of one percent of all researchers. He has been elected to 27 different positions in professional organizations, including President of SOT from 1990–1991 and President of IUTOX 1992–1995. An SOT member since 1969, his Society recognition includes the Achievement Award, Merit Award, Education Award, the Burroughs Welcome Toxicology Scholar Award, the Women in Toxicology Mentoring Award, and numerous Regional Chapter and Specialty Section awards. From https://www.toxicology.org/education/edu/eminent.asp

For an interview with Dr. Klaassen: Click here

“Uprooting the Poison Tree tells the story from the perspective of a woman who looks back on her life and finds meaning in the challenges that she faced along the journey.  Myra L. Weiner is a resilient scientist who has combined a lifetime of experience into a beautiful story. Her memoir about her Jewish faith, her family, her sister’s struggles with mental illness, her child’s special needs, her love of travel and adventure, her love of science and her marital difficulties, have given her a greater perspective about the meaning of life and loss. Weiner finds meaning when naming her new baby after a deceased relative; she finds meaning when her child is diagnosed with special needs; and she finds meaning when she follows her spiritual path to new experiences. Reading Uprooting the Poison Tree will help anyone going through life transition to better understand how to make meaning out of their own losses while identifying ways to build their personal resilience.” 

Barbara Rubel, MA, BCETS, DAAETS, Author, But I Didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide and Loss, Grief, and Bereavement: Helping Individuals Cope

About Barbara Rubel:

Barbara Rubel is a nationally recognized leader in the field of sudden loss and compassion fatigue. Barbara is the author of the best-selling book, But I Didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping children and families after a suicide (2nd Ed). She is the author of the widely acclaimed 30 hour continuing education course book for Nurses, Death, Dying, and Bereavement: Providing compassion during a time of need, sold through Western Schools. Barbara is the co-author of the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime Training Curriculum, Compassion Fatigue. She was featured in the Emmy award-winning Documentary, Fatal Mistakes, narrated by Marriot Hartley, sold through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Barbara developed Palette of Grief®: The art of dealing with loss and life-changing events. As a hospice bereavement counselor, she supported individuals who were terminally ill. She has facilitated anticipatory and sudden loss bereavement support groups and taught undergraduate and masters level courses at Brooklyn College. Barbara was a consultant with the NJ Attorney General and UMDNJ to support those impacted by 911. Currently, she’s a consultant with the Department of Justice. As a bereavement specialist with www.sharegrief.com, Barbara supports the bereaved internationally. She received a BS in Psychology and MA in Community Health with a concentration in thanatology from Brooklyn College and is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, Diplomate, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Certified Bereavement Specialist, and Certified Pastoral Bereavement Counselor. Edited from https://www.griefworkcenter.com/biography/.

“Toxicology is a relatively new scientific discipline, with its pioneers initiating activity in the latter part of the 20th century. One of these pioneers, employed primarily in the industrial sector, is Dr. Myra Weiner. Challenges she worked to overcome were related to the newness of the discipline as well as the historical reluctance associated with acceptance of women scientists and their work.”

Dr. Marion Ehrich, Professor emerita of pharmacology and toxicology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and former president of the Society of Toxicology and recipient of the Society's Merit Award for contributions to toxicology.

About Dr. Marion Ehrich:

Marion F. Ehrich, PhD, DABT, ATS, is a Professor in the Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology Department at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and a practicing registered pharmacist and pharmacy consultant to the Laboratory for Neurotoxicity Studies at Virginia Tech. Her research interests include biochemical neurotoxicology, especially immediate and delayed neurotoxic effects of organophosphate pesticides. In addition, she has been a pioneer in the use of in vitro systems for mechanistic studies and safety assessment in neurotoxicology, with potential contributions to a diminished need for animal use in chemical safety assessments. She is often called upon by both government and industry for her expertise in these areas. Her publications span 35 years, including 180 book chapters, reviews, research, and educational publications. Dr. Ehrich joined SOT in 1979. She served as SOT President from 2003–2004 and received the Merit Award in 2010 for her many contributions to toxicology throughout her career. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and received a national teaching award from their student organization in 2006. From https://www.toxicology.org/education/edu/eminent.asp

“Dr. Myra Weiner’s memoir, “Uprooting the Poison Tree,” takes readers on a fascinating journey. She guides us from an adventurous childhood filled with friendship and sisterly love, including the early development of a passionate scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills that permeate her formal education and continue to thrive throughout her gloriously successful distinguished career. In her uniquely sensitive manner, Dr. Weiner lets us in on the priceless secret of how to break the glass ceiling without ruffling feathers. “Uprooting the Poison Tree” is a saga of intellectual curiosity, brilliant scientific acumen, leadership talent, integrity and spirituality.” 

Dr. Vera Goodkin, Professor Emerita of English and French, Mercer County Community College and author of In Sunshine and In Shadow: We Remember Them, Comteq Publishing, Margate, New Jersey (2006) and Consequences of Writing. Boynton/Cook Publishing, Inc., Upper Montclair, New Jersey (1986).

About Dr. Vera Goodkin:

Dr. Vera Goodkin is Professor Emerita, of English and French, Mercer County Community College. Her academic career there included editorship of ASPIRATIONS, a literary journal for high school students. She also authored numerous articles on Writing Across the Curriculum, and a book entitled The Consequences of Writing on the use of writing as a tool for learning. She is a frequent speaker at academic forums and advocate for the need to strengthen the role of the humanities in college curricula. 

Upon her retirement, she intensified her outreach activities in the field of prejudice reduction as an Associate of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Education.  As a child survivor of western civilization’s darkest hour, Dr. Goodkin owes her life to Raoul Wallenberg. Her memoir, In Sunshine and In Shadow: We Remember Them, recounts her experiences during World War II and her struggle for survival.  In addition, she has contributed chapters to Holocaust anthologies and has been featured in Envoy, Alex Kershaw’s biography of Wallenberg. Her testimony is featured in the Education Division of New York’s Museum of Jewish Life. She has dedicated her life to the promotion of understanding prejudice, racism, Anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance.  

Dr. Goodkin has received her college’s Distinguished Teaching Award, as well as Brandeis and Rider Universities’ Humanitarian Awards, the B’nai B’rith Woman of Valor Award and the Axelrod Award of Excellence in Holocaust Education. In her work with the Holocaust Commission, she continues to conduct workshops on the lessons of the Holocaust.