David Nadler papers

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: IWA1034

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Biographical series (2009-2017) consists of a memoir written by Nadler about his mother, Renate Rothschild Nadler’s, childhood in Konstanz, Germany. The first part of the memoir covers Rothschild’s life from her birth in 1929 to shortly before the start of World War II, when her and her parents had to flee Germany due to the growing anti-Semitism that she and her family faced. This memoir also goes into detail over David Nadler’s trip to Konstanz several decades after the war where he tries to visit the monuments of his mother’s childhood. Nadler describes how many of his relatives’ homes and property are no longer recognizable, how he was denied entry to view his relatives’ property on several occasions, and how there was even an old man who walked around in public and repeatedly shouted “Heil Hitler.” Also within this series are some copies of email correspondence between Nadler and the Iowa Women’s Archives, as well as the obituaries of Isadore Nadler and David Nadler.

Dates

Creation: 2009-2017

Creator

David Nadler (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Biographical / Historical

David Nadler was born in 1956 in Waterloo, Iowa to Isadore and Renate Nadler. He was the fourth child out of five. Both of Nadler’s parents were Jewish, his mother fled Nazi Germany shortly before World War II, and his father was born in Iowa to Polish immigrants. Nadler’s father served in World War II and was twice decorated with bronze stars. Nadler graduated from high school in Washington D.C. in 1974. He obtained both his undergraduate and his law degree from the University of Iowa. Nadler ran his own private practice in Iowa City for 31 years. In 1983, Nadler married Sinaya, and they had four children: Matan, Zohar, Heelah, and Idan. Throughout his life, Nadler was very involved in his synagogue, coaching hockey, playing the cello, and writing short stories. David Nadler passed away in 2017 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Extent

0.25 linear inches

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Memoir of a Renate Nadler’s experience as a Jewish child in Nazi Germany written by her son, and an account of her son’s visit to her birthplace several decades following World War II.