Nov

22 2015

9:30 am JCC Bagels & Book Talk: In Search of Family and Self

9:30AM - 12:00PM  

Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd St.
Allentown, PA

Contact Amy Sams
610-435-3571
asams@lvjcc.org

Bagels & Books: Philip R. Goldsmith, In Search of Self and Family
 
Community Brunch and Book Discussion
Sunday, November 22, 2015
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
JCC of Allentown
 

 

You are invited to a delicious and fascinating morning at the JCC.  Please join Adults at the J and Congregation Keneseth Israel for this special community brunch and author presentation.
 
Author and Allentown native Phil Goldsmith will share stories from his book as well as insight into the research process, which incorporated census records, old papers, saved handwritten letters and connecting with dozens of living relatives .Phil's grandfather, Hyman Rockmaker, was one of the founding members of the JCC of Allentown. Phil's sister Linda Miller and her husband Mike Miller remain in Allentown and are active members in the Jewish Community.
 
While the book is a personal story, it’s one that will resonate with anyone whose ancestors arrived from abroad, struggled, moved, married, divorced, succeeded, failed, and in the end became part of the American melting pot.  It serves as a reminder of what we owe to earlier generations and our responsibility to those who come after us. It is a journey through history, told through family stories against a backdrop of circumstances of their times.
 
Phil relays stories about his family, which he discovered through his extensive research. For instance, a grandfather and great uncle were one of the nation's largest manufacturers of handbags. Newspapers and trade publications wrote about them - and they held patents for newfangled closures.
 

Phil Goldsmith has held a variety of high-ranking positions in business, government, journalism, law and non-profit organizations. He has served as chief executive officer of a large urban school system, the chief operating officer of a major city, and an executive of a major bank. As a journalist, he was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for editorial writing. He and his wife live in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and have two daughters and five grandchildren.

 

 

Brought to you by Adults at the J and Congregation Keneseth Israel

 

In Advance Price $10

In Advance JCC & KI Member Value Price  $8

 

At the Door Price $14

At the Door Price JCC & KI Member Value Price $12