Israeli-American Merrick teen publishes memoir

When Lior Lampert and his family immigrated to Long Island from Israel in 2002, he was just shy of five-years-old, spoke only Hebrew and began school and a new life immersed in confusion. In his recently published memoir, “Little American Man,” the now college-bound teen vividly recalls the challenges and experiences of his early years growing up and adapting to a startlingly different culture.

Settling first in Bellmore, then moving to Merrick a few years later, Lior experienced his new world from the perspective of a middle child of a close-knit Jewish family. Beyond the doors of his supportive home life, however, he immediately became the ultimate outsider.

Lior’s keen observations and style of recounting memorable moments gives readers a heartfelt sense of his bewilderment and emotional turmoil. Describing his first day in public elementary school where he was placed in a Special Education class due to his inability to understand or speak English, Lior writes:

“The head teacher, Mrs. Glickman, knelt down to my chair. She patted my arm and handed me a tissue to wipe my eyes. She smiled as she spoke for several minutes in a soothing tone. The only word I understood was my name.”

For those who grew up on Long island, his comments on everyday events and places are eye-opening, and at times humorous. From shopping at Target to waiting for the school bus, Lior gives a 3-D version of reality — accurate but with a sudden enhancement of depth and perspective. For immigrants or young people struggling with great change or social anxieties, it bolsters hope and sends the supportive message to persevere.

“I wrote to share my story, to let others know that if I could manage to do this, they can too,” says Lior. “It’s important to find strength in yourself and support from others. Although my roots, my background, caused me significant stress, staying connected to them really helped me. As a duel citizen, I feel that Israel is my homeland, but America is now my home.”