Jüdische und arabische Erinnerungen im Dialog

The Jewish-Canadian and Arab-American writers and professors of literature George Ellenbogen (*1934) and Evelyn Shakir (1938–2010) were life companions. In both their memoirs, the authors tell stories of neighborhood, enriching encounters and their search for roots. George grows up in the Jewish immigrant quarter of Montreal, goes to McGill University, and later travels to the places of his ancestors, the destroyed world of the shtetl. In her Boston childhood, Evelyn is perceived as an Arab who does not entirely belong. As visiting professor in Arab countries, however, her students see her as an American. The memoirs, three related articles, and an interview with George Ellenbogen raise basic questions of belonging and otherness, cultural location and the pursuit of mutual understanding and respect. The volume also appeals to teachers who want to turn their lessons into contact zones in which different cultures and perspectives collide and enter into mutual dialogue. With contributions by George Ellenbogen; Pascal Fischer, Christoph Houswitschka; Sally Michael Hanna; John Kinsella; Margueritte Murphy; Evelyn Shakir (†); Brigitte Wallinger-Schorn