Reconstructing a Family’s Journey
Our team traveled to Spokane, Washington, to hear from attendees of Reconstructing a Family’s Journey: Oral History, Research, and Storytelling with author Ken Baronsky. During the event, Baronsky shared how memory, historical research, and storytelling can work together to preserve family histories that might otherwise be lost to time. Visitors stopped by the Storybooth to reflect on their own family stories, share personal histories, and explore the importance of preserving the voices and experiences that shape who we are.
Harriet Bloom-Wilson
Harriet Bloom-Wilson recounts her journey to Spokane, where she found a welcoming Jewish community after decades of living in Wyoming, and reflects on the importance of family, faith, and belonging. She shares her family's immigration story from Ukraine to the United States, highlighting the resilience of her grandparents and the enduring impact of their experiences on future generations. Bloom-Wilson emphasizes the value of preserving family stories as a way to strengthen cultural identity, connect generations, and foster a broader understanding of heritage and community.
Karrie Brown
Karrie Brown reflects on her evolving Jewish identity, from a childhood with limited religious involvement to serving as president of Temple Beth Shalom and becoming a dedicated leader in Spokane's Jewish community. She shares her family's immigration history, including the story of her grandfather's journey from near Kyiv and the complex ways his experiences shaped her family's relationship with Judaism. Brown emphasizes the importance of preserving family stories and historical memories so future generations can better understand their heritage, identity, and cultural connections.
Nancy Randall
Nancy Randall reflects on her family's migration history, including her father's experiences as a German immigrant and World War II prisoner of war, and explains how these stories shaped her family's identity. She discusses the importance of preserving photographs, letters, and oral traditions, emphasizing that firsthand family stories provide a unique perspective that cannot be replaced by books or digital sources. Randall concludes by sharing a personal lesson about resilience, faith, and the value of passing meaningful life experiences on to future generations.
Suzanne Rubens
Suzanne Rubens reflects on her family's Jewish heritage, her move to Spokane, and her decades of involvement in the local Jewish community through synagogue leadership and religious education. She shares stories of her family's immigration from Eastern Europe, the preservation of letters, records, and other historical documents, and the importance of researching and passing down family history across generations. Rubens emphasizes that preserving family stories and traditions is essential for maintaining cultural identity, strengthening community connections, and fostering resilience in the face of antisemitism.