Dr. Kerry Goldmann
Stan Brein
On March 17, we had the opportunity to go to the movies! Well, at least figuratively. The Jewish Friendship Group (JFG) welcomed Dr. Kerry Goldmann to the Ranch for a long awaited return presentation. The topic was: Hunting Nazis in Hollywood. The timing for the talk could not have been better for many reasons. We had just watched the 2026 Oscar Awards and filmmaking was in the air.
Kerry is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of North Texas. She is fluent in her understanding of Jewish identity in prevailing culture. We thoroughly enjoyed her last presentation, Illustrating Identity: Jewish History in Comic Books.
The backdrop is Germany in the 1930s. As the Nazi Party began consolidating power, they set their sights on the greatest propaganda machine in the world: Hollywood. In what sounded more like a film script than historical events, Nazi groups in Los Angeles plotted to attack Jews in Hollywood, gain control of American popular media, and ultimately use it to shape public opinion of their party and ideology. Dr. Goldmann spent the hour elucidating these devious plots as well as the ring of Jewish-led spies who ultimately took them down; an incredible show of resistance that ended up inspiring a major motion picture.
There were heroes, villains, and many people caught in the middle paralyzed and not knowing how to respond. Throughout the presentation were familiar faces, Jewish and non-Jews, from comedy, drama, production, politics and everyday life who stepped up to the challenge at hand and helped shape the course of history. It was a very interesting lens through which to view our current times.
On the horizon we look forward to the rescheduled presentation by Kim Kamen on Sunday, April 12. She is the chief operating officer of The American Middle East Press Association (AMEPA). Kim will discuss: From Remembrance to Responsibility – Antisemitism, Moral Clarity, and the Choices Before Us.
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Linda Zisman, a long-time resident of Robson Ranch. Linda was the founder and long-time leader of the Jewish Friendship Group. Linda had a unique style that was bound to get your attention. She would boldly say the things that needed to be said. It wasn’t always easy for everyone to hear them, but they kept the group moving along for a long time. We wish her family our sincere condolences. Somewhere a little bell is being rung to get our attention!
Shalom
Stan Brein sbrein@sbcglobal.net. Bob Finkelman ecaworld@gmail.com