By Niamh Gray
The audience hushed, and the lights dimmed last Monday night when the first speaker stepped onto the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center stage. Anticipation was high, and the professor cleared his throat; the University of Maryland’s annual Dubin Family Lecture began.
Ilai Saltzman, an associate research professor and the director of the Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, kicked off the lecture on Sept. 16.
The speakers included UMD’s President Daryll Pines, Alma Gildenhorn, who paid homage to her late husband Joseph Gildenhorn, and the keynote speaker, Israeli author Etgar Keret.
During his keynote address, Keret recounted how he relied on the power of imagination and storytelling to navigate through challenging periods in his life.
As the youngest son of two Holocaust survivors, Keret said he cherished the art of storytelling from an early age. When he was younger, Keret asked his father about surviving the Holocaust. His father said he coped by envisioning a different world, using it as a shield against the tragedy of his reality.
“Storytelling and imagination were not accessories or luxuries or something that could be found,” Keret said. “They were a means of survival, that you need to know how to tell a story, you need to imagine because if you won’t, you’re doomed.”
For some audience members, Keret’s personal experiences and stories offered an alternative perspective on navigating challenging times.
“Growing up, I would always use my imagination,” said Mira Karpati, a freshman art history major. “I think it enforces the idea of having a positive mindset and always looking for a way to continue and persevere.”
Additionally, Keret discussed his experiences following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas infiltrated Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 250 people hostage. Israel declared war on Hamas the following day.
Keret said everyone in Israel did their best to help those impacted by the war, whether through cooking, driving, babysitting or other means. He used his voice as a storyteller to aid those affected by the war, sharing stories with individuals to keep them at ease.
“Before the war started, I really felt like I was on some pedestal,” Keret said. “But the moment the war broke, I said this is just another thing I can do to make people happy, to make someone not think about [it].”
Olivia Herman, a freshman psychology major and great-granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, attended the lecture and emphasized the importance of sharing these stories.
Herman believes that storytelling not only offers insights into reality, but also preserves the memory and legacy of those who have faced significant challenges. It serves as a reminder of history, she said.
“I think that [Keret] gave a very good display of Israeli culture and how Israelis all tend to really be there for each other, and it’s just a really strong community,” Herman said. “We’re all in it together.”
Featured Image: Ilai Saltzman (left), an associate research professor and the director of the Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, participates in a question and answer session with Israeli author Etgar Keret (right). Photo by Niamh Gray.