LUNCH AND LEARN
The Dilemma of Ordinary People in 1930's Germany
Monday, February 9th, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
In-person only
$28/person
$30/person starting February 2nd
THE UPTOWN
319 York Road
Jenkintown
Speaker: David K. Wessel
This presentation explores how ordinary Germans responded as democracy collapsed and Nazism rose. Were they complicit, coerced, or misled? We examine the choices citizens faced, what they knew about the Holocaust, and how they reacted to the Nazi regime. David K. Wessel also shares his father’s family story, revealing how some fled Germany, others stayed despite doubts, and some supported the Nazi Party.
Parking and entrance in the rear.
Please enter the parking lot from Leedom Street. The easiest way to park is to download the Park Mobile account in advance. Gratz staff will be outside to assist with parking.
Kosher lunch is provided. Books will be available for purchase.
David K. Wessel is a retired U.S. diplomat and historian turned novelist specializing in 20th-century Germany. He is the author of Choosing Sides (2024) and is currently working on its sequel, Changing Sides, focused on postwar intelligence in Germany and Austria.
SOLD OUT
Gratz College invites a range of voices to our programs, and the positions expressed by speakers are their own. While not all events aim to represent the full spectrum of perspectives on issues, we encourage thoughtful engagement and respectful dialogue.