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SUMMARY:The First Indonesians in the Tri-State Area: A Hidden History of Migration & Survival
DESCRIPTION:Did you know one of the first documented Indonesian families in 
 the US lived in Elizabeth\, NJ\, before WWII? Award-winning author Brian 
 Kimmel presents a fascinating “local history” edition of his memoir\, 
 Blue Skies\, Troubled Waters.  Through rare archival documents—including 
 1940s Newark newspaper clippings and unclassified military maps—Kimmel 
 traces the journey of early migrants from the Dutch East Indies to the 
 Tri-State area. He explores the complex identity of these “First 
 Indonesians\,” distinct from the post-war “Indo” wave. The 
 presentation highlights the legacy of the 1925 Youth Pledge and Minahasan 
 leaders like Sam Ratulangi (a cousin of the author’s grandmother)\, who 
 helped forge a national Indonesian identity long before independence. This 
 presentation unveils a hidden chapter of New Jersey history that connects 
 local families to the global stage of WWII and the birth of a 
 nation.\n\nBrian Kimmel is an award-winning author\, publisher\, and 
 Licensed Mental Health Counselor. A second-generation Indonesian-American\, 
 he is the publisher of Together Mapalus Press and the co-author of Blue 
 Skies\, Troubled Waters: An American Twin’s WWII Odyssey in Minahasa\, 
 Indonesia (2026 Independent Press Award Winner). His work specializes in 
 “Embodying Narratives\,” using archival research and oral history to 
 preserve the “unsullied stories” of civilian resilience in the Pacific 
 Theater.
ORGANIZER;CN="Adult Programs":MAILTO:adultprograms@bernardsvillelibrary.org
CATEGORIES:
CONTACT;CN="Adult Programs":MAILTO:adultprograms@bernardsvillelibrary.org
STATUS:CONFIRMED
UID:LibCal-16440532
URL:https://events.bernardsvillelibrary.org/event/16440532
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