The  very compelling memoir of Gemma La Guardia Gluck, the sister of the truly beloved mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia, is a stunning story which starts in New york City’s Greenwich Village,  moves to the “wild west” of the Dakotas, includes the American midwest, Italy, Hungary, and Gemma’s internment in Ravensbruck concentration camp as a political hostage by the Nazis while Fiorello was mayor, and Gemma’s survival and return to  New York City.

Gemma’s story is the focus of an exhibit at Hebrew Union College on West 4th Street, a fitting location since it is close by to where Gemma’s story begins.  On Decemeber 12, there will be a program and reception.

The program features “a conversation and book signing with Dr. Rochelle G. Saidel, editor of Gemma La Guardia Gluck’s memoir. She will discuss La Guardia family history and Jewish roots, as well as Gemma’s experiences during the Holocaust in Hungary and Ravensbrück women’s concentration camp, and as a displaced person in war-torn Berlin.”

Gemma’s memoir opens a window of insight about how we can be lulled by our routine of daily life and the hope that unpleasant times could just pass us by, that we might not recognize danger at our doorstep. It is clear example of a woman in history whose story could  be overlooked and buried, which would be a sad loss.

Many thanks to Rochelle for not letting this happen to Gemma’s story. See you on December 12 at HUC.