Gerlind Institute for Cultural Studies

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Reflections – Growing up Culturally Jewish in America

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Guy Sussman: Reflections – Growing up Culturally Jewish in America
January 23, 2021

Born in New Jersey in April 1945, just 3 weeks before the end of war in Europe, Guy grew up in perhaps the greatest period of US prosperity and expanding world wide influence.

Photo courtesy of Guy Sussman

Deeply influenced both by his first generation extended family and their roots in 19th century Eastern Europe, and his fractured orthodox Hebrew education, Guy traces his growth in post war America beginning with his Yiddish speaking parents, to his motivation for learning German to his post graduate study in Germany and later reckoning with the reality the Holocaust.

Having made lasting friendships with contemporary Germans and experienced pointed and mild forms of German antisemitism in the 1960's Guy pieces together, from his own opinion as an outsider, a picture of what Germany was then and is today.

If you would like to view our archive video of the presentation, contact Dr. Marion Gerlind for access.
You can view a trailer here.