This first history of name changing in the United States offers a previously unexplored window into American Jewish life throughout the twentieth century. Our thinking about Jewish name changing tends to focus on clichés: ambitious movie stars who adopted glamorous new names or insensitive Ellis Island officials who changed immigrants’ names for them. Join author Kirsten Fermaglich as she elegantly reveals the profound stories behind the name changes.

Kirsten demonstrates how historical debates about immigration, antisemitism and race, class mobility, gender and family, the boundaries of the Jewish community, and the power of government are reshaped when name changing becomes part of the conversation.

Join us at 6:15 PM for a guided tour of the Vilna! Learn about the history of the Jews of Boston and the unique architectural features of this particular building.

Harvard Book Store will be selling A Rosen­berg by Any Oth­er Name: A His­to­ry of Jew­ish Name Chang­ing in America, and Kirsten will be signing books after the discussion.

Kirsten Fermaglich is Associate Professor of History and Jewish Studies at Michigan State University. She is the author of American Dreams and Nazi Nightmares (2006) and the co-editor of Betty Friedan, The Feminine Mystique, Norton critical edition (2013). She is the co-editor of the journal American Jewish History.

Join us at 6:15 PM for a guided tour of the Vilna! Learn about the history of the Jews of Boston and the unique architectural features of this particular building.

In partnership with the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at NEHGS and Jewish Book Council.