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Lisa T. Sarasohn wrote
Getting Under Our Skin: David Sarasohn and Gregg Coodley co-authored The
The Cultural and Social His- Green Years, 1964-1976: When Democrats and Republi-
tory of Vermin. cans United to Repair the Earth.
Three locals pen two books on

vermin and the environment

Two new books written by members of From eighteenth-century London mer-
Portland’s Jewish community were pub- chants anointing their carved bedsteads
Free screening of lished in September. with roasted cat to repel bedbugs to mod-
Lisa T. Sarasohn’s Getting Under Our Skin: ern-day hedge fund managers hoping
“Upheaval: The Journey The Cultural and Social History of Vermin neighbors won’t notice exterminators in
of Menachem Begin” was published by Johns Hopkins Universi- their penthouses, the studies in this book
ty Press Sept. 21. Lisa is Professor Emerita reveal that vermin continue to fuel our
Congregation Neveh Shalom, Israel 360 of history at Oregon State University. prejudices and threaten our status. Getting
and the Jewish Federation of Greater Port- Lisa’s husband, David Sarasohn, and Under Our Skin will appeal to cultural his-
land invite you to a free online screening of Gregg Coodley co-authored The Green torians, naturalists and to anyone who has
the documentary “Upheaval: The Journey Years, 1964-1976: When Democrats and ever scratched – and then gazed in horror.
of Menachem Begin” to be enjoyed any- Republicans United to Repair the Earth, In The Green Years, 1964-1976, Gregg and
time between Oct. 31 and Nov. 5. A free which was published by University Press David offer the first comprehensive history
Zoom discussion with the film’s director, of Kansas Sept. 30, 2021. After a stint as of the period when the
Jonathan Gruber, will be at 7 pm, Nov. 4. a history professor at Reed College and a United States created
Watch the incredible life story of former magazine editor, David joined the Orego- the legislative, legal
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin nian in 1983. When he retired, he was the and administrative
– imprisoned by the Soviets, orphaned newspaper’s Associate Editor. Gregg is a structures for environ-
by the Holocaust, crowned Peacemaker physician and the Medical Director at the mental protection that
by the Nobel Prize Committee – in this Fanno Creek Clinic. are still in place over
captivating documentary. With evoca- David recently finished his second term 50 years later. They
tive imagery, rarely seen archival mate- on the board of Congregation Beth Israel, tell a dramatic story
rials and revealing interviews with those where all three authors have been members. of cultural change,
who knew him, Upheaval portrays the In Getting Under Our Skin, Lisa tells the grassroots activism
life and essence of this brilliant, tough, fascinating story of how vermin came to and political leadership that led to the pas-
complex, loving and proud man, who signify the individ- sage of a host of laws attacking pollution
never compromised when the survival uals and classes that under President Johnson. With Stewart

of Israel and the Jewish people were at society impugns and Udall as secretary of the interior, the Wil-
stake. View a trailer for the movie at ostracizes. How did derness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

youtube.com/watch?v=dVhgEpeEJrg these creatures go and other land-protection measures were
Jonathan Gruber has been directing, writ- from annoyance to so- passed, and the department shifted its fo-
ing and producing award-winning docu- cial stigma? And how cus to broader national conservation issues.
mentary films for more than 20 years. His did people thought of The fast-paced story the authors tell is not
documentaries include “Miriam Beerman: as verminous come to only about the Democratic Party; in this era,
Expressing the Chaos,” “Follow Me,” be considered almost there was still a vital Republican conserva-
“Life Is a Banquet,” “Jewish Soldiers in a species of vermin tion tradition. In both the House and Senate
Blue & Gray,” “STU” and “Pola’s March” themselves? Focusing on Great Britain and and in the Nixon and Ford administrations,
He was also the co-creator and executive North America, Sarasohn explains how Republicans played vital roles. President
producer of the MSNBC series “The Story the label “vermin” makes dehumanization Nixon established the Environmental Pro-
of Cool.” and violence possible. She describes how tection Agency and signed into law the
To reserve your space for the Zoom dis- Cromwellians in Ireland and the U.S. cav- 1970 Clean Air Act, revisions in 1972 to the
cussion and receive the links to the movie, alry on the American frontier both justified Clean Water Act and the 1973 Endangered
please register at jewishportland.org/movie. slaughter by warning “Nits grow into lice.” Species Act. Under Nixon, actions were
For questions, contact Rachel Nelson at Nazis not only labeled Jews as vermin, taken to protect the oceans, forests, coast-
rachel@jewishportland.org or 503-892- they used insecticides in the gas chambers al zones and grasslands while regulating
7415. to kill them during the Holocaust. chemicals, pesticides and garbage.
6 Jewish Review Oct. 13, 2021