Rutgers Scholar Addresses the Importance of Cultural Memory at The Bristal at York Avenue

September 10, 2024

NEW YORK, NY — As a surge in hate crimes across New York is reported by state authorities, Dr. Jeffrey Shandler, professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University, recently reminded residents of The Bristal at York Avenue that revisionists and Holocaust deniers require a deepening commitment to strengthen and protect Jewish cultural memory.

Dr. Shandler’s talk comes on the heels of a report by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli that hate crimes continued to rise in 2023, with nearly half of the hate crimes reported across New York State being rooted in religious bias, including many classified as anti-Jewish incidents.

“Given the fear and discrimination being felt by so many in our communities recently, it’s more important than ever to reflect on how we remember our past,” Dr. Shandler told the residents. “It’s always a pleasure to share what I do, especially with The Bristal residents who often have a longer memory than I do. My studies deal with how people remember personal and collective pasts which, in turn, can teach us so much about the world we live in today.”

“The rise in hate crimes underscores the importance of discussions like the one at The Bristal at York Avenue,” Comptroller DiNapoli stated. “Our diversity is what gives New York, and America, their strength and our diversity is under attack. The surge in antisemitism and hate crimes directed against Jews demands that we strengthen and share our cultural memory. We must never forget that intolerance and bigotry laid the foundations for the horrors of the Holocaust.”

According to a press release, the event, which was part of The Bristal’s monthly speaker series, focused on Dr. Shandler’s latest book, Homes of the Past: A Lost Jewish Museum. During his talk, he explored a largely forgotten museum project initiated during World War II by Jewish scholars, which was abandoned as the enormity of the Holocaust was revealed. This discussion served as a poignant reminder of the power of memory in the face of ongoing challenges to cultural heritage and identity.

Drawing from his earlier work, Holocaust Memory in the Digital Age, Dr. Shandler also addressed how digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, are revolutionizing how we remember and memorialize the past. He underscored the need to protect history in a digital world.

Residents at The Bristal, whose personal stories further enriched the conversation, engaged with Dr. Shandler, sharing their reflections on the impact of cultural memory on their lives.

“I think it’s very important to have events like this,” said Nancy Osman, a resident at The Bristal at York Avenue. “They not only bring us together but also offer meaningful opportunities for learning and reflection. It’s truly wonderful to be part of such engaging conversations.”

This event was part of The Bristal’s monthly speaker series which will continue over the coming months with guest speakers like Margaret Hall, author of GEMIGNANI: Life and Lessons from Broadway and Beyond; Dr. Leandra Zarnow, author of Battling Bella: The Protest Politics of Bella Abzug; and NYT bestselling author AJ Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution’s Original Meaning.

The Bristal is a provider of senior-living services offering senior-living accommodations in privately owned communities on Long Island, in Manhattan, New York, in Westchester County, New York, and in New Jersey.