Jay Geller
@jaygeller.bsky.social
Professor of History, scholar of the German-Jewish experience, biographer of Gershom Scholem and family, and devotee of modernist architecture and design.
I read this document with ease. Another museum-goer, a Millennial, struggled to read it, but got most of it. My Gen Z progeny can only make out a few words. 🙁
#cursive #handwriting #paleography
#cursive #handwriting #paleography
January 18, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I read this document with ease. Another museum-goer, a Millennial, struggled to read it, but got most of it. My Gen Z progeny can only make out a few words. 🙁
#cursive #handwriting #paleography
#cursive #handwriting #paleography
The real birthday of the United States is July 2, 1776. The Smithsonian Institution should know better.
(And the second explanation does finesse the difference by writing “adopted the Declaration of Independence” rather than writing “voted for independence” or “declared independence”).
(And the second explanation does finesse the difference by writing “adopted the Declaration of Independence” rather than writing “voted for independence” or “declared independence”).
January 18, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The real birthday of the United States is July 2, 1776. The Smithsonian Institution should know better.
(And the second explanation does finesse the difference by writing “adopted the Declaration of Independence” rather than writing “voted for independence” or “declared independence”).
(And the second explanation does finesse the difference by writing “adopted the Declaration of Independence” rather than writing “voted for independence” or “declared independence”).
I just learned that Arthur Scholem jr., the last of the prewar Germany-born Scholems, died only a few months ago at the age of 97. (His sister also lived into her late 90s.)
I had never seen a photo of him. He looked remarkably similar to his famous uncle, Gershom Scholem.
I had never seen a photo of him. He looked remarkably similar to his famous uncle, Gershom Scholem.
January 11, 2026 at 10:02 PM
I just learned that Arthur Scholem jr., the last of the prewar Germany-born Scholems, died only a few months ago at the age of 97. (His sister also lived into her late 90s.)
I had never seen a photo of him. He looked remarkably similar to his famous uncle, Gershom Scholem.
I had never seen a photo of him. He looked remarkably similar to his famous uncle, Gershom Scholem.
The answer? The car (and the mythologizing of the car).
Ultimately, Europe built cars to fit its cities, while America tore down its cities to fit its cars.
Ultimately, Europe built cars to fit its cities, while America tore down its cities to fit its cars.
January 8, 2026 at 3:36 PM
The answer? The car (and the mythologizing of the car).
Ultimately, Europe built cars to fit its cities, while America tore down its cities to fit its cars.
Ultimately, Europe built cars to fit its cities, while America tore down its cities to fit its cars.
Stephen Miller is going full Bismarck.
(And it’s just an unfortunate coincidence that the likely immediate victim is, once again, Denmark.)
(And it’s just an unfortunate coincidence that the likely immediate victim is, once again, Denmark.)
January 6, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Stephen Miller is going full Bismarck.
(And it’s just an unfortunate coincidence that the likely immediate victim is, once again, Denmark.)
(And it’s just an unfortunate coincidence that the likely immediate victim is, once again, Denmark.)
I’m reading The Radetzsky March by Joseph Roth for the 4th time—but for the first time in 10 years.
I had forgotten how complex & multilayered the story is. But Joachim Neugroschel’s translation is a problem. It’s not just clunky. It’s also full of outright mistakes as if it weren’t double-checked.
I had forgotten how complex & multilayered the story is. But Joachim Neugroschel’s translation is a problem. It’s not just clunky. It’s also full of outright mistakes as if it weren’t double-checked.
January 1, 2026 at 7:40 PM
I’m reading The Radetzsky March by Joseph Roth for the 4th time—but for the first time in 10 years.
I had forgotten how complex & multilayered the story is. But Joachim Neugroschel’s translation is a problem. It’s not just clunky. It’s also full of outright mistakes as if it weren’t double-checked.
I had forgotten how complex & multilayered the story is. But Joachim Neugroschel’s translation is a problem. It’s not just clunky. It’s also full of outright mistakes as if it weren’t double-checked.
Saying this vote was unanimous is like saying, "Not a single member of the KPD voted against the Enabling Act!"
Source: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Source: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Saying this vote was unanimous is like saying, "Not a single member of the KPD voted against the Enabling Act!"
Source: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Source: www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
I love it when journalists and other non-academics casually cite Robert Darnton.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
December 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I love it when journalists and other non-academics casually cite Robert Darnton.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
#OTD vor 128 Jahren wurde der israelische Philosoph und Religionswissenschaftler Gershom Scholem im Berliner Fischerkietz (auch Fischerinsel genannt) geboren.
Er liebte seinen Geburtstag. Er liebte es, Geburtstagsgeschenke zu bekommen. Er heiratete sogar *zweimal* an seinem Geburtstag.
Er liebte seinen Geburtstag. Er liebte es, Geburtstagsgeschenke zu bekommen. Er heiratete sogar *zweimal* an seinem Geburtstag.
December 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
#OTD vor 128 Jahren wurde der israelische Philosoph und Religionswissenschaftler Gershom Scholem im Berliner Fischerkietz (auch Fischerinsel genannt) geboren.
Er liebte seinen Geburtstag. Er liebte es, Geburtstagsgeschenke zu bekommen. Er heiratete sogar *zweimal* an seinem Geburtstag.
Er liebte seinen Geburtstag. Er liebte es, Geburtstagsgeschenke zu bekommen. Er heiratete sogar *zweimal* an seinem Geburtstag.
And Poland is considered possibly the next target? ✅
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 PM
And Poland is considered possibly the next target? ✅
UK edition: "Dame und Herr im Restaurant" by Lesser Ury
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
UK edition: "Dame und Herr im Restaurant" by Lesser Ury
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
Spanish edition: a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Italian edition: "Kaffeehausszene Paris" by Lesser Ury
French edition: "Strassenszene Mit Frau, Berlin" by Lesser Ury
5/5
I'm also fascinated by the choice of cover art, which is about representing the book's content and having appealing marketing.
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I'm also fascinated by the choice of cover art, which is about representing the book's content and having appealing marketing.
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
German edition: "Berliner Straße im Regen" by German-Jewish artist Lesser Ury (1925)
US edition: "Hochbahnhof Bülowstraße bei Nacht" by Lesser Ury (1922)
4/5
In the British English, Italian, Spanish, and French translations, the title is provided as "Effingers: A Berlin Saga."
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:11 PM
In the British English, Italian, Spanish, and French translations, the title is provided as "Effingers: A Berlin Saga."
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
Perhaps the original title wasn't descriptive enough for readers in London, Rome, Madrid, and Paris. Perhaps including "A Berlin Saga" was good marketing.
3/5
One thing I find interesting, however, is the representation of the title. In the original German and in the American English translation, the title is simply "Effingers."
2/5
2/5
November 11, 2025 at 1:10 PM
One thing I find interesting, however, is the representation of the title. In the original German and in the American English translation, the title is simply "Effingers."
2/5
2/5
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Der Kommentar der Tagesschau beeindruckt mich: „Heute geht es [...] um eines: Das Leben in Freiheit und deren unschätzbarer Wert. Eine Freiheit, die im Osten von Mödlareuth fehlte.“
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Dennoch stimmten 2/3 der lokalen Wähler für Parteien, die möglicherweise nicht vollständig demokratisch sind.
Danke für den Hinweis.
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
September 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Danke für den Hinweis.
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Leider versenden viele Verkäufer keine Pakete mehr in die USA. Amerikanische Freunde von mir haben in letzter Zeit bei Amazon[.]de bestellt, aber die Pakete sind noch nicht angekommen (wahrscheinlich stecken sie im Labyrinth des amerikanischen Zolls fest).
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
September 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Question for the historians of European-US relations or historians of social movements in Europe:
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
At the height of the Vietnam War (c. 1968-1973), there were lots of demonstrations in Europe against America’s war. Was there a mass movement for a blanket boycott of the United States and its citizens?
Yes, it’s an excellent book.
August 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Yes, it’s an excellent book.
I should warn you that while it’s a paperback, it’s not short. It’s more than 800 pages, densely printed, with small-sized font.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
August 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I should warn you that while it’s a paperback, it’s not short. It’s more than 800 pages, densely printed, with small-sized font.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
However, each chapter is only 5–10 pages long. So it can be read in small segments without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
August 29, 2025 at 2:36 PM
It’s rare that I can say this, but right now, I’m reading an advance copy of a novel, and I cannot put it down. I’m completely immersed in it.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
I highly recommend @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social’s English translation of Gabriele Tergit’s “Effingers,” available for purchase on November 11.
The Japanese writer Masashi Matsuie called the 19th century "the age of iron and glass."
August 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The Japanese writer Masashi Matsuie called the 19th century "the age of iron and glass."
The Indian writer Amit Chaudhuri, writing of Berlin, called department stores “the [20th] century’s cathedrals.”
July 1, 2025 at 2:09 AM
The Indian writer Amit Chaudhuri, writing of Berlin, called department stores “the [20th] century’s cathedrals.”
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
February 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
“'Etz chayim hi,' Dude, as the ex used to say.”
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")
Can anyone recommend (scholarly?) readings on Jewish identity in modern America through the lens of Coen Brothers films?
(I already know the special issue of _AJS Review_ on "A Serious Man.")