Our America, Nuestra America, Unsere Amerika

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This immigrant family memoir intricately weaves Jewish and Latin American cultures, presenting history with psychological depth and a thrilling immediacy. The author, an eminent anthropologist and historian, recounts his grandparents' exile from Eastern Europe to South America, using their journey as a lens to analyze the worldview and spirit of countries like Peru, Colombia, and Chile. Educated Jewish emigrants, they embodied the hope and determination of those who fled Europe in the 1920s. Both trained to challenge ghetto life through the early Zionist movement, they became deeply engaged in Peru's leftist intellectual scene, linking the country's indigenous heritage to a broader internationalism that embraced Jewish culture. After facing imprisonment for their socialist beliefs, they were exiled to Colombia, where they navigated its complex societal issues. This narrative also critiques the minimal recognition South America receives in U.S. public opinion. The story extends to Chile during World War II, Israel in the 1950s, and concludes with the author's childhood experiences in Berkeley, California, and Mexico City, enriching the exploration of identity and cultural intersections.