Family immigration stories from Beth El members

Beth El member Michael Gevelber tells his family’s immigration story.

At the culmination of Congregation Beth El’s annual HIAS Weekend on February 5, 2023, we asked our members to share their own immigration stories, describing the histories, traditions, travails and triumphs that contributed to their identity today. Some tales were joyful and some were sad but all were unique. The fascinating diversity of our community is demonstrated here.

Click on the names below to witness the stories of “coming to America.”

• Ann Barysh — I’ve Always Been a Sucker for a Cute Dress
• Michael Gevelber — The Immigration Story of Juci Spiegel: How a Farm Girl Survived the War and Came to America
• Gary Girzon — The Grapefruit
• Ron Goldman — Honey
• Belle Halpern — Grandpa Sam: Reinvention on Steroids
• Linda Hirsch — Anne Frank: Image of a Statue that Connected Her to Cuba and Beyond
• Benyamin Lichtenstein — Where My Last Name Came From
• Laurie Margolies — Abrams’ Aprons
• Barbara Miller — Three Litvaks and a Galitzianer
• Elsie Navisky  — A Journey from the Middle East
• Fernando Colon Osorio — I Have Always Believed in the Goodness of the American People
• Rosie Rosenzweig — Taking Brave Steps From One Country to Another (read by Ann Kramer)
• David Waldman — Henny and Abraham: Coming to America

Barry David’s presentation was not recorded due to initial issues with the recording.