Introduction

Taher Dajani remembers playing soccer with his neighborhood friends in his idyllic city of Jaffa, Palestine. But on April 24, 1948, when Taher was fourteen, his carefree lifestyle came to an abrupt end. His family, with little money and few possessions, escaped the city by sea in a crowded fishing trawler as Zionist militia encircled Jaffa. Taher''s father believed the family was in danger, so overnight they became refugees.

Refuge and Rebuilding

The family took refuge in Syria and later in Libya, which enabled them to rebuild their lives. They experienced grief at leaving a place they loved and felt a great sense of loss and displacement, but with perseverance the Dajanis began anew. From Palestine to America describes the family''s experiences and their determination. Taher Dajani writes this memoir about his new life after leaving his beloved Jaffa—from his days as a college student in Chicago to his work with the central bank in Libya—and his position with the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC.

Heritage and Memory

Even though it has been sixty years since the Dajani family were forced to flee Palestine, they remember their heritage and roots, and Jaffa, Palestine, will forever be in their hearts.