The Steins: Portrait of a Jewish American Family

The Steins tells the story of Mordecai (Mort) Stein and his family, from his 1912 arrival at Ellis Island at age thirteen to the 1960s. In that half century, Mort assumes many identities: immigrant from Motal, Russia, assembly line worker in a Detroit auto factory, primary school dropout who educates himself, successful owner of gas stations, husband and father of three, and cautious, conservative businessman.

But what begins as an ＂American Dream＂ success story, radically changes in the 1930s when Mort becomes an activist involved in rescues. First, it’s his youngest sister, stranded in Motal. Then, he works undercover for an agency, helping Jewish refugees from the Nazis, even smuggling Jewish children out of Germany. These experiences change his life and career.

This is a story of survival and resilience, of betrayal and forgiveness with an unwavering devotion to family.