Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

Community, Compassion, and Jewish Values: Lessons from the Eastland’s Waters


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Welcome back to Flower in the River podcast! In this episode, we dive into the coverage of the 1915 Eastland disaster through The Sentinel, a historic Jewish newspaper in Chicago.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

  • The role The Sentinel played as a bridge between Chicago’s Jewish community and their evolving American identity.
  • The 1997 article from the Chicago Tribune that reflects on The Sentinel’s legacy and closure after 85 years.
  • A reading of The Sentinel’s powerful 1915 article, The Voice from the Eastland, offering a poignant reflection on the disaster, worker safety, and social justice.
  • Stories of Jewish victims of the Eastland disaster, including the heroism of Sam Widran, who saved 40 lives before tragically losing his own.

Key Themes Explored:

  • How The Sentinel framed the Eastland disaster as not just a tragedy but a call for change in the working conditions of immigrants and the working class.
  • The emotional and spiritual reflections captured in The Sentinel’s coverage, emphasizing the human toll and the need for systemic reforms.
  • The interconnectedness of personal loss and broader social justice issues highlighted by the disaster.

Special Guests from Notebook LM:

To add a bit of fun, this episode features a special segment with "Max" and "Eva" from Notebook LM, who share their insights into the historical significance of The Sentinel’s coverage and what we can learn from it today.

Links:

  • 85-YEAR-OLD JEWISH NEWSPAPER BARELY OUTLIVES ITS EDITOR
  • Illinois Digital Archives
  • Unearthing the Untold: Jewish Lives and the Eastland Tragedy
  • Sassiness Saved Her: A Jewish Girl's Narrow Escape from the Eastland
  • Posts in the Graveyard - Eastland Disaster




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  • The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
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Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldBy Natalie Zett