"A Convenient Villain: Charles A. Lindbergh's Remarkable and Controversial Legacy Preparing the U.S. for War", is a new biography of Charles Lindbergh written from a unique perspective: a Jewish aerospace engineer.
Speaker: Jonathan D. Reich, MD, M Sc Engineering

Charles Lindbergh may be the most controversial figure of the Twentieth Century. His pioneering flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the kidnapping and murder of his son, and his political advocacy made him one of the most famous men of his era. His legacy is clouded by apocryphal stories, allegations of anti-Semitism and racism, and efforts to ignore his contributions to American security and society. The constant repetition of allegations, without analysis, has resulted in generations of Jews being convinced that he was evil.

The truth is much more complicated and nuanced. While Lindbergh opposed Jewish interests in the run-up to World War II, he never denied the right of Jews to advocate nor minimized German oppression. He canceled visits to Germany as a protest after Kristallnacht, he was the only man who negotiated with the Germans who addressed Jewish grievances, and he used his influence to try to get Jews out of Germany.

A Convenient Villain traces Lindbergh's contribution to U.S. preparation for World War II, his scientific advances, and his advocacy. Lindbergh's pre-World War II advocacy is judged from a distinct vantage point: a Jewish generation that matured after the Six-Day War and carried forward a newly confident, less insecure American-Jewish identity as a result. Lindbergh's legacy is compared to President Roosevelt's, who obstructed Jewish immigration to the U.S. There are surprising lessons to be learned for those concerned with today's anti-Semitism.

Dr. Jonathan D. Reich is a cardiologist on the faculty at Johns Hopkins and Stanford Schools of Medicine. He was an aerospace engineer prior to going to medical school. He has spoken about Lindbergh's legacy at the Mayo Clinic, the National Museum of Health and Medicine, the Missouri Historical Society, and various World War II and aerospace museums. He has been invited to speak at the ceremonies commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic flight in May 2027.

Feeling eco-anxiety? What actions could you take today that would help solve the climate and waste crises? In this talk, we will cover the easy steps that busy people can take to reduce their carbon and waste footprint and live more sustainably. Drawing on the messages in her book, Zero Waste Living, the 80/20 Way, Stephanie Miller will discuss actions that fall within what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, purge plastics and recycle right. You will leave the conversation feeling empowered to take action today and help others around you do the same.

Stephanie J. Miller is the former Director of Climate Business at the World Bank Group and the author of Zero Waste Living, the 80/20 Way. She founded Zero Waste in DC where she reaches a wide audience through sustainability consultations, keynote presentations, and learning events. She is also the founder of DC Reduces, a grassroots initiative that helps businesses and consumers in the DC community reduce single-use packaging.

Book Description: Many of us feel powerless to solve the looming climate and waste crises. We have too much on our plates and may think these problems are better solved by governments and businesses. Zero Waste Living, the 80/20 Way unlocks the potential in each “too busy” individual to be a crucial part of the solution. Stephanie Miller combines her career focused on climate change with her own research and personal experience to show how a few, relatively easy lifestyle changes can create significant positive impact. Using the simplicity of the 80/20 rule, she shows us those things (the 20%) that we can do to make the biggest (80%) difference in reversing the climate and waste crises.

Just over 50 years ago, the end of the Vietnam War sent refugees to safe havens across the globe, with many thousands settling in the United States with assistance from the U.S. military and refugee sponsors. These new arrivals created communities around the country, including a significant population in the northern Virginia suburbs, first in Arlington and later in Falls Church.

In Arlington’s “Little Saigon,” Vietnamese refugees forged livelihoods and support networks, determining how to become American while still holding onto what made them Vietnamese. One Vietnamese priest likened the challenge to “catching two fish with two hands.” Drawing on historical photos, oral history interviews, and other research, this program will examine the Vietnamese diaspora to the Washington, D.C., area, the development and preservation of Vietnamese enclaves like the ones in northern Virginia, the celebration of customs and cuisine, and more.

Kim O’Connell is a freelance journalist whose writing has appeared in national and regional publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Huffington Post Personal, AARP, Undark, National Parks Traveler, Washington Business Journal, Virginia Living, Arlington, and others. As the daughter of a Vietnamese immigrant and a white American father, Kim has made Vietnamese heritage and cuisine a particular focus of her work; she is the author of the booklet Echoes of Little Saigon: Vietnamese Immigration and the Changing Face of Arlington, Virginia, and wrote the text for a historical marker about Little Saigon in Arlington that was installed in 2025. Her website is www.kimaoconnell.com and she lives in Arlington.