As Hurricane Irene descended on New York City in 2011, acclaimed poet Edward Hirsch received a text message from his only son Gabriel that he would be home in an hour. That was the last time he would hear from him.
In this probing, lavishly illustrated volume, the historian of American Jewry, Jonathan Sarna, and Benjamin Shapell, a leading collector of Civil War documents and artifacts, interweave two texts: a chronicle of Lincoln’s cordial relations with Jews and an extensive gallery of letters, photos and prints.
In November 1938, as Hitler was preaching his gospel of hate, French Prime Minister Léon Blum delivered a speech to the International League Against Anti-Semitism about “the tragic Jewish question.” Urging European nations to open their doors to the growing number of Jewish refugees who had been condemned “to a bitter and unfortunate fate,” he left no doubt about his identity…
The recently published posthumous publication, The Pawnbroker’s Daughter: A Memoir, draws attention to the powers of endurance of the American Jewish poet Maxine Kumin (1925-2014). The Yiddish word for strength, koyach, might have been the middle name of Kumin, a skilled swimmer and horsewoman who battled back after a near-fatal carriage-driving accident at age 73
The education revolution among Bedouin women has opened up opportunities previous generations could never have imagined. But tribal traditions that limit their freedom—including polygamy—still prevail.
Ally would have been a more effective book if Oren had taken the time to consider the impact of his take-no-prisoners approach, writes Glenn Frankel.
The Jewish argument against turning a blind eye to fraud
Trees matter, and Israelis, of all people, should understand why.
When I was in Israel in late 2013, I drove across the rugged expanse of the Negev on Route 31. At the time, Israeli newspapers were full of articles describing highly controversial demolitions of Bedouin homes and villages, failed plans to resettle the Bedouin, and ongoing tensions between the Bedouin and the Israeli government.
With the draft law rolled back, Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox aren’t likely to serve in the military.
In honor of Father’s Day, we’re collecting your dad stories. From sweet remembrances to embarrassing moments and everything in between, send them all to editor@momentmag.com with the subject line “Father’s Day” for a chance to be published on our website.
For Slava Gelman, Fishman’s main character, finding a balance between his Russian and American selves proves difficult.
