Introduced by VP David Walker, the special guest of the
day was Dr. Bryan Edward Stone, a professor of history
at Del Mar College, Corpus Christi.
Dr. Stone teaches courses in U.S. history. He is also a visiting
Professor at the Schusterman Center for Jewish studies at the
University of Texas at Austin. His most recent book is The
Memoir of Alexander Z. Gurwitz, Memories of Two Generations:
A Yiddish Life in Russia and Texas (University of Alabama
Press,2016).
The book, which is the topic of today's presentation, was edited for
publication by Dr. stone, who prepared the text and authored a
critical introduction and footnotes.
Dr. Stone is also the author of The Chosen Folks: Jews on the Frontiers of Texas (University
of Texas Press, 2010), which won the Southern Jewish Historical Society Book prize in 2011.
Dr. Stone is the managing editor of the Annual Journal Of Southern Jewish History and has written
and spoken extensively about the Jews of Texas. He holds a Ph.D. in American studies from the
University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Stone shared the story of Gurwitz, who existed at a time when education was imperative. Gurwitz
was particularly well educated, in Jewish studies, but never became a rabbi. Rather, he made a
living as a Kosher butcher.
Gurwitz came to the United States for religious freedom, since Russia at the time, was anti-semitic.
He came into the United States through Texas, and lived in San Antonio, Texas for 37 years, with
his family. He maintained the same profession he had in Russia as a Kosher butcher and also taught
Hebrew. Gurwitz was however, more economically disadvantaged in the United States than he was in
Russia.
Gurwitz who never learned to speak English stayed in San Antonio with his family until his death.
"A Yiddish life in Russia and Texas" is an autobiography by Gurwitz. recounting his experience as a
Jew in both Russia and Texas.
For his presentation, Stone received a "Tacks Shelter" from club President, Nancy Foster.
