Israel Books

As one who wishes to know more about the "nuts and bolts" of jazz, I always insist on reveling in the research conducted by these, the finest jazz authorities on the planet. Unlike the contributions of Ken Burns and others of his genre, this is the real stuff written by the real guys. Very Highly Recomended!!

The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict is not simply a battle between two opposing countries - it's a conflict between two groups of people who are close enough- and are - neighbors. "Checkpoint" is a novel of growing relationships - and how those relationships can tear a family apart. The Shapiros are split by loyalties of friendship on both sides of the cause, and must figure out a way to remain a family all while staying loyal to their friends in this deftly written look at the conflict from the fictional perspective of a family torn asunder - "Checkpoint" is highly recommended to community library collections dedicated to world fiction and fiction focusing on current events.

This book concerns the highlands of Palestine, north of Jerusalem, in the 11th and 10th centuries BC. The basic archaeological fact about that place and time is that small villagers of farmers appeared, in large numbers, suddenly - the area was before that used only by nomadic herders. If you look at a map of the locations of these villages, you can more or less spot five clusters. This book applies statistical techniques to the village locations, and the main claim is that these five clusters really exist and were probably more or less independant. The pattern of large and small villages corresponds well to what is called a complex chieftancy. In a complex chieftancy, there is at any time a paramount chief and several sub-chiefs. Food is carried in from the whole chieftancy to the chief, who redistributes it. The fit of the data to this model seems very good to me.

We can try to compare this archaeological discovery to written sources, which for this period means only the Bible. This would be the period of Judges. So the first question is, what in the Bible corresponds to the paramount chief of the complex chieftaincy model? There is one title held by people who do many of the things that a chieftan would do, and that is "Judge", or in Hebrew "Sophet." But to see the Sophet as a chieftan changes the way we see Judges, or the way we see chieftans, or both. This is not really explored in the book.

So the book is of most value as providing solid detailed geographical information for further studies. But the information is not accessible, because there isn't a good map. I would like to know the archaeologically determined boundries of these five chieftaincies, for further research, but no useable map is provided.

- David Nunes da Silva

Child in Jerusalem is the child's-eye memoir of author Felicity Ashbee, who spent four years from age six to age ten living in post-World War I Jerusalem while her father worked to restore the city architecturally and artistically. A powerful work that captures a momentary golden time of restoration and peaceful exchange between faiths, Child in Jerusalem vividly recaptures Ashbee's views of the city and its people, as well as offering hindsight-insight into the stirrings of radical ideas culminating in the rise of religion-centered political factions whose clash would undo much of what had been rebuilt. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this poignant framing of memory.

This book gives an excelent and detailed review about the issues of children who survived the Holocaust.
The interviews of the survivors are interesting, sensitive and i depth.
The book reveals the phenomena of children who survived and their struggle.
Highly recommended

As a collection of stories that documents the experiences of a group of boys and young men during the Holocaust, this book could stand on its own. However, this book goes well beyond that.

At its heart, I believe that there are two stories in this book. The first is an inspiring story of how the human spirit can prevail. It tells how these boys and young men were able to overcome not only the horror, loss, and brutality that they had experienced during the Holocaust, but also being told that they were beyond redemption because they had seen and experienced too much. The fact that they were able to go on to build happy, productive lives for themselves is, to me, absolutely amazing. I know one of these survivors, Robbie Waisman, and I can vouch for his warm, generous spirit and the leadership he brings to the community. I must admit that whenever I hear his story I shake my head: I can't believe that this boy who experienced the horrors of the Holocaust is the same man who today I am very proud to call my friend. He has inspired me to believe that no matter what happens to me, I can overcome it.

The second illustrates the power that one person has in changing other people's lives. Adolph Hitler was successful in destroying the lives, both physically and spiritually, of millions. However, Judith Hemmendinger was instrumental in rebuilding the lives of these boys and young men; for me, she shows that if one is prepared to support unequivocally and remain confident of the potential of another human being, even if they are apparently beyond redemption, one can change not only the life of the other person, but also the community, for the better.

If you're looking for a book that will inspire you, I highly recommend this one.

The childrens' stories really gave me a great understanding of what it must be like to have lived or continue to live in Israel/Palestine. Stories of love, heartbreak, hate, understanding, confusion provided an understanding of the impact of the conflict in the lives of real people instead of just the political views. If everyone tried to understand and care for both sides of the conflict as presented by the stories in this book maybe we would find the motivation to create peace.

An amazing novel. So raw and forceful in its emotional timber; so incredibly heart wrenchingly real. A true tour de force. I loved every word of it!

Using simple phrases and historic photographs, The Children We Remember is an unforgettable story about the children who lived and died during the Holocaust. While it is a story of death and loss, it is also a story of hope and courage. It will break your heart while reaffirming your faith in the endurance of the human spirit. Simple story, but powerful! This book is an excellent way to introduce the Holocaust to young adults. I read it to my fifth grade students each school year as an introduction to our World War II unit.

In this magnificent three-volume work, Ish Kishor highlights the history of the Jewish people from the Biblical account of creation through to the proclamation of the reborn State of Israel in 1948.

The first two volumes: From Creation to the Passing Of Moses and From Joshua to the Second Temple are for children aged about eight upwards, but are so beautifully written that they are also wonderful reading for adults too.

The third volume: From The Second Temple to the Present Time is for young readers aged approximately twelve and up, as well as being a fascinating account for adults too. Kishor's poetic yet simple style of writing is engaging from the onset: "Then God said, `Let the land bring forth living creatures.' So on earth, as well as in the air, and the water, all kinds of animals began to live, frisky goats and gentle cows and graceful deer, furry squirrels and jolly dogs and playful kittens. None of them were afraid of any of the others. In the hot damp forests of the jungle the tawny lions and striped tigers moved about, eating the grass and drinking the river water. Great grey elephants curled their long trunks and trumpeted for joy because they were alive. Green crocodiles splashed through the muddy pools, gleaming snakes slid through the muddy reeds. And they all loved each other, and none of them wanted to hurt any of the others."

The delightful black and white illustrations, in an immortal style of artwork, complement the narrative. The illustration of "Joseph Sold By His Brothers" depicts so well the Ishmaelites pouring and haggling over the strong, beautiful clever young boy Joseph, as they prepare to take him down to Egypt in bondage. The book describes things such as the attempted seduction of Joseph by Potiphar's wife in a way that is suitable for children.

Today, when we are faced with the new antisemitism, which tries to cut the Jewish people off from the Land of Israel and from being a nation, it is important to instill in Jewish children a pride in their national identity and a strong identification with the Land of Israel. Hence as Joshua is quoted as saying in the chapter entitled "The Land of Milk and Honey:" "But God is with us. We shall surely conquer. What can we do, except fight? Shall we stay in the desert forever? Or shall we go back and tell Pharaoh that we will make bricks for him forever? Are you good only to make bricks and build cities for another race? You must struggle and fight if you want to become a real nation!"

The second volume documents the Hebrews' re-entry and conquest of the Land of Israel from Canaanite tribes that had moved into the Holy Land during the Egyptian Exile. It tells of Rahab's courage and the triumph of the Nation of Israel led by Joshua. It goes on to tell of such great Jewish men and women as Deborah, Barak and Jael, Gideon, Jephtah, Samson, Eli, Samuel and Saul. It has a lovely chapter on the story of the love of Boaz and Ruth. And it gives accounts of King David and his bravery and capacity for great love of his people and his God. His building up of Israel as a mighty nation and of Jerusalem, as well as the power and wisdom of his son and successor Solomon. The illustrations show the love of the illustrator for the Israelite people. They are works of love and beauty bringing epic events to life.

The book goes on to tell of the division and decline of Israel, of the Babylonian exile, of great prophets such as Elijah, Daniel and Ezekiel, and of the triumphant return of the exiled Israel to Judah.

The third volume narrates the segment of Jewish history from Esther and the story of Purim through the resistance of the Maccabbees against Syrian-Hellenist rule of Israel. It moves on through the Roman destruction of the Temple, the persecution of Jews in exile for nearly two thousand years and concludes with the re-establishment of Israel as a free nation in 1948.


The book ends on a positive note, however, with the establishment of Israel. It is encouraging to read of this triumph at a time when brave and long-suffering little Israel is fighting for survival. Hence I say Amen to the final sentence of Kishor's work: "Long live the Republic of Israel."