Author Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger (pictured) will be speaking at Temple Beth Israel on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. about his book, A German Life: Against All Odds, Change is Possible. The book describes his struggle growing up in Germany in the shadow of his father, a highly decorated World War II tank commander and Nazi officer. Wollschlaeger eventually converted to Judaism, emigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a medical officer. This story describes how history can impact and devastate a family.
“As the main character in the book, I struggle with my faith and identity,” said Wollschlaeger. “In the quest to find answers to questions about my parents and my nation’s past, I set out to find the truth and, in doing so, I found a new life as well as separation from family, friends and country. My attraction to Judaism created a turmoil within me that centered somewhere between personal guilt for what had taken place and a true sense of belonging to a people and their beliefs.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.agermanlife.com. Temple Beth is located at 1 Temple Dr. Go to www.tbiport.org for information.
