The Lower East Side: Cradle of American Jewish Civilization

Dr. Schoenberg can present this program as a straight lecture, lecture-discussion, and/or video as we discuss why the Lower East Side became the entrepot to Jewish Civilization in America. We discuss how people lived, worked, and strived to achieve the American dream for themselves and their children.

Jews in High Places: The Presidents and the American Jews

We discuss the relationship between Jews and the presidency from George Washington to the present day. The presentation can be lighthearted such as Abraham Lincoln's Jewish foot doctor, dramatic as in George Washington proclaiming America to be a country based on religious tolerance, humerous as in the case of Abraham Lincoln, or heart-rending as we discuss Franklin Roosevelt and the Holocaust, American policy toward Zionism and the State of Israel.

Jewish American Women Who Made Their Marks

Their impact on the law, medicine, politics, space, cinema, Zionism, Israel, and Jewish life is discussed. Some of women discussed are Judith Resnick, the second American woman in outer space, Golda Meir who became the prime minister of Israel, Barbara Streisand with her many Jewish movie roles, and Henrietta Szold, the founder of Hadassah, and many others.

Jewish Mother: Scapegoat or Martyr on the Silver Screen (slide or video)

The image of the Jewish mother has changed from passive nurturer of the 1920's to aggressive guilt-giving hag of the 1960's to a more well-round get real woman of the 1990's.

Jewish Father: Patriarch or Shadow on the Silver Screen (slide or video)

The image of the Jewish father has changed from the reactionary patriarch of the 1920's to a helpless schmiel of the 1960's to a man still in search of an identity. (Click Here) To read an Example

Jewish Talent on the Silver Screen

This program explores how Jews have influenced the portrayal of the American dream and of Jewish life.

Jews Who Went to War: Jewish Military Heroes

Starting with Asser Levy von Swellem, in the seventeenth century to the Mickey Marcus, who died in Israel in the twentieth century, Jews have compiled a war record that they can be very proud of. (Click Here) To read an example

Two Faces of Isaac: Shalom and Saleem: Prospects of Peace in the Middle East

Is peace around the corner or is it further away? Find out.

Never Again: Looking Back at the Holocaust

The origin of the Holocaust and whose responsibility it was for this catastrophe of the Jewish people is presented in this lecture.

Israel: Dream or Nightmare

1998 is the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. Does the reality match the dream or is there something missing?

High Points in Jewish History

Although the Jews are very small, they have a very distinguished history from their origins to the present day.

Jewish New York

From the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, who may have been of Jewish origin, Jews have played a part in the building of New York City and creating a new Jewish way of life. Before the 23 Jews arrived from Brazil in 1654, there was already a Jewish presence in the Big Apple. Discover their stories. Who was the city's first kosher butcher? Where did real life Tevye the milkmen go to synagogue? Who was the first Jewish mayor of New York City?

Jewish Criminals: Rise and Fall and Still Around

Jewish gangsters did not die with Prohibition. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, Jews have contributed their share to the criminal element in America. For some, it was just another way to move up the social ladder and give their children legitimate careers; for others, it was simply the opportunity to make a lot of money or the way to have an adventure. Today Jewish crooks can be found strong-arming their way in the streets while others practice con games in the stock market. Dr. Schoenberg will discuss their origins and why they are still around to the embarrassment of everybody else who tries to earn an honest living.

Jews of the Silver Screen Oscar Time

Discover the Jewish presence behind as well in front of the camera as Dr. Schoenberg shows slides and videos to dramatize their life stories.

1. Name the movie screen's first vamp! and she was just as sexy as Marilyn Monroe and exuded sex on the silent screen!

2. Name an Irish-American movie actor that got his start in the Yiddish theater! and he could still read Yiddish poetry when he did last movie in his eighties?

3. Name the first commercial sound talking picture? Who was the star (Hint: He was America's highest paid stage and movie star of the 1920's! As an extra bonus, who was the non-Jewish producer who convinced his Jewish bosses to produce the picture!

4. Name a Jewish woman that produces, writes, directs, sings and acts in the movies!

5. Who is the most successful director of all time in terms of box office hits?

6. Which was the first American movie to be filmed on location in Israel? (Hint: It starred Kirk Douglas.)

7. What was the real names of Tony Curtis, Dorothy Lamour, Edgar G. Robinson, John Garfield, and Leslie Howard?

8. Who was the Jewish boss of President Ronald Reagan in the movies?

9. Can you name three stars from the original Star Trek Series that are Jewish?

10. Where did Gregory Peck get trained in acting on the Lower East Side?

11. Which star of the Yiddish theater and the American cinema opened up her own conservatory of acting on the Lower East Side?

12. Who shot the first documentary on the Jews of the Lower East Side?

13. Which star of the Yiddish theater and the American cinema has a room named after at the Second Avenue Deli?

14. How did Joseph Pappasky's name become Joe Papp?

15. Who was the founder of Universal Studios?