Israel Books

Table of Contents
Introduction vii
Chapter 1 New Historiography and National Identity: Reflections on Changes in the Self-Perception of Israelis and Recent Israeli Revisionist Historiography 1
Chapter 2 Arab-Jewish Relations in Israel: A Deeply Divided Society 31
Chapter 3 Whatever Became of "Negating Exile"? 69
Chapter 4 The Diaspora Factor in Israeli Life 109
Chapter 5 Fifty Years of Israeli Discourse on the Holocaust: Characteristics and Dilemmas 137
Chapter 6 Israeli Identity: The Jewish Component 163
Chapter 7 Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union: Their Influence and Identity 185
Chapter 8 From Melting Pot to Multiculturalism; or, The Privatization of Israeli Identity 215
Chapter 9 The Globalization of Israel: Transformations 233
Index 257
About the Editor and Contributors 267

Almost six decades after the U.N. partition of Palestine, as Suzanne Gershowitz wrote, ascription of blame for Palestinian refugees still resonates in Israeli academic discourse. Following the lead of Avi Shlaim, an Oxford University historian and "new historian," post-Zionists have exculpated the Palestinians for heeding Arab calls to leave. Shlaim argued in a 1988 book that King Abdullah I of Transjordan and Jewish leaders colluded to force the partition of Palestine and, therefore, bear responsibility for the refugee crisis that followed.[Avi Shlaim, Politics of Partition: King Abdullah, the Zionists, and Palestine, 1921-1951 New York: Oxford University Press, 1998].

In Israeli-Jordanian Dialogue, 1948-1953, Haifa University professor Gelber decisively refutes Shlaim's thesis by showing that the Israelis and King Abdullah did not aim to conspire against the Palestinians. He argues, rather, that, for the Israelis and Abdullah--who had deep-seated mutual interests and a long-standing bond--partition turned out to be the most viable solution to a thorny problem.

Relying on documents from Israeli and British archives (the latter of which include records of broadcast statements from Arab leaders), Gelber details the Zionist-Jordanian dialogue from the waning days of the British mandate through the 1948 war, to the Israeli raid on Qibya in 1953, which marked the end of the Israeli-Jordanian bond and Jordan's reunion with the Arab coalition. Gelber explains the nuances of the diplomacy among representatives from Israel, the United States, Britain, the United Nations, Transjordan, and other Arab states. His analysis spans both the political and military issues that shaped the Israeli-Jordanian dialogue.

The coverage of Transjordan's 1948 invasion of Israel sets the scene for subsequent examination of the tenuous occupation of the West Bank and the collapse of the Palestinian government in Gaza, which Gelber suggests had to do more with military than political developments. Several chapters examine the diplomatic efforts behind the first nonaggression pact and other attempts at peace from the end of the war through 1953.

Gelber highlights King Abdullah's struggle in balancing his necessary relations with Israel with those he had with the broader Arab world, hostile to the Jewish state's independence, while at the same time posturing himself as a representative of the Palestinians following the Egyptian subordination of Gaza.

Israeli-Jordanian Dialogue, 1948-1953 sheds light not only on an important historical episode, but it has historiographic significance as well. Too often, professors subsume scholarship to their own political agendas. It has become fashionable among many historians to substitute theory for research or omit evidence that undercuts their thesis.[Efraim Karsh, "Benny Morris's Reign of Error, Revisited," Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2005, pp. 31-42]. Careful historical research such as Gelber's grounds the debate about the early years of the Palestinian refugee crisis.

The Israeli-Syrian Peace Talks: 1991-196 and Beyond explores how two countries that have been in a state of war for more than fifty years could transform their relationship from conflict to cooperation, from embittered battle to co-productive peace. Helena Cobban reviews the history of negotiations between Israel and Syria during the 1990s and provides insider information about the negotiating dynamics, patterns, personalities, and changes between these two mid-eastern nations. The Israeli-Syrian Peace Talks is critically important reading for anyone seeking to understand contemporary and on-going international dynamics in the complicated, multi-faceted Syrian-Israeli politics and relationships of today.

This classic on the universal message of Ethical Monotheism and its implications on justice and world peace is a "Must" not only for theologians and Noahides but also for mankind in general. GKlein

This is truly a beautiful book, extremely well written & presented, which documents the successive stages of Israel's prophetically forged destiny. A book which scans the entire Biblical prophetic programme for Israel and the Jewish people.

The book is also based upon an understanding of who the Jewish people are in relation to Scripture, what they have experienced historically, why they have been thus dealt with and where their journey through history will ultimately bring them.

Among the stated aims of this book is to assist Christians in their understanding of the Jewish people, their problems, aspirations, and their divinely destined place in history through the unfolding of the prophetic programme included with the Bible. Another aim is to help Jewish people differentiate between a "Christianity" which has heaped scorn, ridicule and persecution upon the Jewish people and true Christians who emulate the genuine spirit of Christ towards the "Chosen People" of God, through whom humanity's redemptive programme and Person of the Messiah have been revealed. Another aim of this book is to assist the Jewish people in their understanding of the enormous dimensions of their unique relationship to the God of the Bible & and His faithfulness in delivering all the irrevocable promises made to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob (Israel).

The dispersion, preservation, restoration and reconciliation of the Jewish people each have their own relevant section in this study. The many historical periods of Jewish suffering and persecution are also included. The Ghettoes, the Holocaust, Crusades, Blood Libels & other such issues (such as being forced to wear a number of badges to identify themselves as Jews by numerous nations/entities) all receive the appropriate attention.

The re-birth of the Jewish State of Israel and the ingathering of the Jewish exiles from around the World receives the appropriate coverage as does the unification of the City of Jerusalem in 1967.

The return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to Jerusalem is also covered. It is also included in the context of the coming battle at Jerusalem against the invading nations as described in Zechariah 14;v1 to 5);-
"...I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle...Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle...". The prophecy proceeding to declare the Messiah's physical return, with His feet again standing upon the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the prophetic programme of the Jewish people.

This delightful hardcover book tells the story of "Yom Ha'atzmaut", the celebration of Israel's independence. Author Ellen Dietrick takes us to Congregation Beth Israel's preschool class in Charlottesville, Virginia, where professional photographer Tod Cohen photographs the class as they take an imaginary plane ride to Israel to celebrate this very important Jewish historical event. The children have their passports stamped at Ben Gurion Airport. They stop at a kibbutz for an orange or two. They stop at the shuk (market) in Jerusalem. One of the children purchases a Kiddush cup as a Bar Mitzvah gift for his big brother. They buy lunch at a falafel stand. They visit the Kotel, (wall) and tuck a written prayer into the Western Wall. They walk through the hot desert sand and cool off in the Dead Sea, which has so much salt in it, you float very easily, just like you would if you tried to swim in America's Great Salt Lake. The children learn to count in Hebrew. They march in a big parade in Tel Aviv to celebrate Israel's birthday. All within the confines of their preschool classroom!

This is a sparkling fun book that's appropriate for children of all faiths. They will learn a little bit of the faith and the culture of their Jewish friends in an easy-to-understand way. Ellen's well-written text and imaginative ways for her class to "experience" Israel, combined with the fantastic photographs of Tod Cohen, makes this an outstanding book for children. The last page of the book is a "how to" craft page for children to make their own birthday hats to march in Israel's birthday parade. If you are looking for something different with a positive learning experience for your child, this is the book to read! This is the latest book in Kar-Ben's popular It's Time series.

Jennings Jr., Theodore W. "Jacob's Wound: Homoerotic Narrative in the Literature of Ancient Israel", Continuum, 2005.

Reclaiming the Bible

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride

Theodore Jennings Jr. has a voice that he makes heard in "Jacob's Wound". He brings forth a suggestion that homoerotic themes are present in Hebrew narrative which is in opposition to the accepted supposition that the culture and religion of ancient Israel was opposed to erotic relationships between members of the same sex. Most of us think the prohibition stems from the Book of Leviticus and the story of Sodom found in Genesis. Some of us understand that the story of Sodom no more deals with homosexuality than other books of the Bible. It is about attitudes of hospitality and not about same-sex relations just as attitudes toward rape are not found in the story that deals with the rape of Dinah.
Jennings shows that the eroticism of the Bible is not only about heterosexuals but about issues that refer to homosexual interpretation. He looks at the relationship between David and Jonathan as well as David and Saul. Likewise he looks at shamanism in the Old Testament and the story of Joseph (which I found particularly interesting). He also examines the Prophets and shows their role in sexuality of the Hebrew Bible. He shows that the Bible does, indeed, contain a great many homoerotic texts within it and in doing so, takes the bible from those who use it to oppress others and shows t as a liberating text. The Bible so often falls into the hands of those who have their own agendas.
Jennings's book refuses to allow the Bible to be used for or dominated by radicalism. His findings come from many varied Biblical and theological sources and he offers up a way to read the Bible so that it can meaning in the lives of oppressed minorities like gays and lesbians. We learn how to read unfamiliar texts as well as how to read texts we are aware of in a different way.
Anyone who reads the Bible cannot deny that there is a great deal of eroticism in it but many are unaware of the homoeroticism contained therein.
Moore's concentration here is on the relations between the members of the male gender. What is novel is the approach he uses to show how a divine image which is perceived as male is regarded by male adherents and thereby affects homoeroticism. He does not discount female-female eroticism and cites "The Story of Ruth" as well as other stories.
I found the book to be illuminating and to give off ideas for further and intense study. I commend Moore for bringing some of these issues to light and hopefully others will continue the trend that he has started.

In this study of the city of Jaffa the author, an expert and veteran writer on historical geography, explains in wonderful detail the economic, agricultural, demographic and religious growth of Jaffa. Sometimes called the `bride' of the sea Jaffa is an ancient port, whose importance as the entryway to Jerusalem and the Holy Land only ended in the mid 1900s. Jaffa is mentioned in the Bible and is known to have existed and flourished from 500 B.C to the present. This book covers its growth through to the Israeli war of independence or Palestine war in 1948. It examines the growth of the Christian quarters and the new neighborhoods outside the city, as well as the economics that surrounded the local orange groves and the port. An excellent study complete with many photos and maps and data. This is an excellent resource and an elightening read.

Seth J. Frantzman

Written by Kenneth Roseman, a rabbi with a Ph.D. in American Jewish History, Jeremiah's Promise: An Adventure In Modern Israel is a remarkable book for young adult Jewish readers. It presents Jewish history in a format that allows young people to direct their own adventure. Putting the reader in the role of a Polish Jew who has survived the horrors of the Nazi reign, Jeremiah's Promise presents the reader with a choice for the future; the decision the reader makes prompts him or her to turn to a given page and read the outcome of the decision, and then make another choice, repeating the process until reaching one of the multiple endings. Different readers will enjoy very different adventures, all centering upon the theme of the journey to Israel, coming to a better understanding of the Jewish faith, and adjusting to the new surroundings of life in Palestine. An engaging, entertaining, and informative book recommended for readers of all ages.

One example of the misguided, even if well intentioned, effort to mix religion with politics. A most dangerous admixture. Falwell called himself a Zionist. All well and good. We're all entitled to our political viewpoint. But he seems not to have recognized that Zionism at its inception was not religiously motivated. It was political. Real Politics is not faith based. One's faith is accepted without question. Woe to those who do not constantly challenge their own politics. There are those on all sides of a political issue who believe that God is on their side. As Lincoln was to have said, when during the Civil War was told that God was on his side, "Let us pray that we're on God's side."