Programs

A German Life – My Father Was a Nazi

Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, FAAFP
Tuesday March 18, 2014 12:30pm

Born in mid-1950s Germany, Dr. Wollschlaeger was raised and educated in Germany. Growing up, he discovered his father, a tank commander and decorated Nazi war hero, had kept the past hidden from his children. Dismayed by the legacy of the Holocaust, the son questioned his father’s past, rebelled, converted to Judaism, and immigrated to Israel, served in the Israel Defense Forces, married a Jewish woman and lives in Miami, Florida and has dual Israeli/American citizenship. He is a board certified practicing family physician and addiction specialist, author, speaker, father of three children and a proud Jew.

The rift between family and faith never healed. “Our unresolved conflict and my father’s denial motivated me to search for answers, and I found them within me and my acquired faith: Against all odds, change is possible.” BerndWollschlaeger
The program is free to members, $10 for non-members. Come hear his story! It promises to be a thought-provoking and fascinating subject.

Personally signed copies of “A German Life” will be on sale for $15, $5 of which Dr. Wollschlaeger is generously donating back to our section.

Temple Emeth-Reform Congregation, 1666 Windsor Road, Teaneck, NJ, United States (map)

Washington Insider to speak at our General Meeting

Tuesday April 29, 2014, 12:30pm
Temple Emeth, 1666 Windsor Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Members:  no charge; non-members $10 applicable toward membership

Meet Sammie Moshenberg
Sammie Moshenberg is NCJW’s director of Washington operations and coordinates all of NCJW’s advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, and nationwide. She also staffs NCJW’s State Public Affairs network of volunteer advocates in more than 20 states. She represents NCJW on national coalitions concerned with judicial nominations, civil rights, reproductive rights, child care, and First Amendment issues, and speaks widely with passion and humor on public policy and legislative issues throughout the country. A feminist activist, Sammie has been at the forefront of advocating for equality, economic and social justice for over 30 years.

There will be a special commemoration to the victims of the Holocaust in honor of Yom Hashoah at the meeting.

“Fear of Flying” Author Erica Jong Rocks The Boat in Teaneck

Left: Gladys Laden of Teaneck, Co-President, NCJW BCS; Center: Erica Jong of Manhattan; Right: Ann Levenstein of Teaneck, Co-President, NCJW BCS

The guest speaker to a rapt audience of over two hundred members and guests at the Tuesday September 17 General Meeting of NCJW Bergen County Section was renowned author, poet, essayist and teacher Erica Jong. She made powerfully clear her strong views on why women, joining with the ever-increasing participation of men, must never give up the fight for women’s rights and equality. As the fearless author of the seminal best-selling 1973 feminist classic “Fear of Flying” and her advocacy for social justice for women and society at large, Erica Jong is arguably one of the most notable feminists in our history.

With humorous anecdotes and personal reminiscences, including poems she wrote following the death of her mother, she recounted the genesis of how her life and work were influenced by the efforts of her Jewish mother and grandmother.  Ms. Jong congratulated the members of NCJW BCS for their tenacity and resolve in their endeavors to help heal the world and reiterated that women must never become complacent where their rights are concerned and should continue to fight for equality. As Ellie Lubin of Englewood, an audience member said, “She was stimulating, provocative, and thoughtful; had lots to say on a lot of many different subjects and gave me a lot to think about. She reinforced our motivation to continue the work we do.”

Arrangements for the appearance of Erica Jong was made through The Fischer Ross Group, Inc.