Dr. Gail Finney, Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature and German

“It has been eye-opening to explore a rich range of German films at the Gerlind film evenings, where the level of discussion is strikingly high. I come away from those discussions informed and invigorated. The oral history series is comparably stimulating, offering personal testimonies by speakers whose experience with Germany has profoundly marked them and who in turn leave their listeners educated and enriched.”

Coming Up – Join Us!

  • Klönschnack: German conversation group

    Klönschnack: German conversation group

    Saturday, May 18, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. PT • In Person • Mudrakers Cafe, Berkeley

    Thema 1: Gewerkschaften inden USA und Deutschland
    Thema 2: Immigration

    Professionell moderierte deutsche Konversationsgruppe, die normalerweise am 3. Samstag im Monat stattfindet. Willkommen sind alle, die Deutsch sprechen . (Professionally moderated German conversation group; all welcome who speak German.)

    Spenden in Höhe von $5 von Gerlind Institute (GICS) Mitgliedern und $10-20 von Gäst*innen sind erwünscht. (suggested contribution for GICS members: $5, guests $10-20. No one turned away for lack of funds.)

    For more info and donations, visit our Klönschnack page.

  • Dr. Lois Silverstein

    Oral History Series

    Saturday, May 25, 2024 • 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

    Dr. Silverstein will present and read from her latest novel When Crying Stops (KTAV Publishers, 2024), based on World War II and the Romanian Holocaust. Created from a combination of survivor testimony, research, and imagination, When Crying Stops …is rich with first-hand experience, historical perspectives, reflections on resilience and human endurance, and a thoughtful look at war, oppression, and loss.

    To RSVP and read more, visit our Oral History Series page.

  • Klönschnack

    Klönschnack: German Conversation Group

    Saturday, June 15, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. PT • via Zoom

    Professionell moderierte deutsche Konversationsgruppe, die normalerweise am 3. Samstag im Monat stattfindet. Willkommen sind alle, die Deutsch sprechen . (Professionally moderated German conversation group; all welcome who speak German.)

    Spenden in Höhe von $5 von Gerlind Institute (GICS) Mitgliedern und $10-20 von Gäst*innen sind erwünscht. (suggested contribution for GICS members: $5, guests $10-20. No one turned away for lack of funds.)

    For more info and donations, visit our Klönschnack page.

  • Filmnacht

    Filmnacht | Filmnight

    Zentralflughafen THF | Central Airport • Saturday, June 22, 2024Discussion: 7:00 p.m. PT/ 19.00 Uhr via Zoom

    Normalerweise jeden vierten Samstag alle zwei Monate. Usually, on the fourth Saturday of every other month. We’re screening German, or German-related, films. We screen popular, or little-known film gems (usually in German with English subtitles), followed by a facilitated discussion by Dr. Marion Gerlind.

    In-person screenings are at the Gerlind Institute for Cultural Studies, Oakland and seating is limited. During COVID-19 we moved our discussions to Zoom. Films are screened online.

    Für Reservierung oder weitere Informationen, email Marion. For reservations or more information, email Marion.

    Visit our Filmnacht page for more information.

  • Alpenhorn

    San Francisco German Day in Golden Gate Park

    Saturday, September 29, 2024 • 11:00-4:00 PT • Golden Gate Park Bandshell

    This event is jointly organized by the Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco (DMV), the Excelsior German Center at the Altenheim in Oakland (EGC), and the United German-American Societies of San Francisco (UGAS).

    This event will be open and free of charge to the public. We will celebrate and promote German culture, events, language, food, music, and traditions. German food will be available at the food truck area or people can bring their picnic.

    This event is an opportunity to bring together old and young, long-time Bay Area residents, newly immigrated German-speaking people, and everybody interested in German culture, music, food, and language.