Blacks and Jews : Kin through struggle
356827
when i got this book, i didn't think i was going to be overwhelmed. sure, the premise was noble, but i expected it to be dry and preachy
boy was i wrong...
instead of telling you prejudice is wrong, caryl shows you in four plot lines, ecah worthy of their own novel. eva's story is the most compelling. we get to see the horror of the holocaust and how it shapes her life; even after eva is away from it, the nightmares continue. othello's story is interesting because we see the jews through his eyes as he tries to assmilate in venetian society, denying his identity in the process. you can also learn about the history of the jews and how they came to be a maligned people.
while none of the stories ever come together, they share a common thread : prejudice; how it affects the victims and the perpetrators. the parts of the novel which phillips graphically shows the holocaust horror took my breath away and made me angry that humans commited the crimes they did...
1054302
This could have been the story of my family. Like Laskin's, some of my family emigrated to US from Pale of Settlement, 2 were Halutzim to Palestine in the Early 30's, many stayed behind to perish in the Shoah.  Laskin weaves his story thoughtfully and clearly; through his skilled writing the lost souls of his family will live on in the minds of those who read this book
2756739
I enjoyed this book very much even though it is a very difficult subject.  I am inspired by Gil and Eleanor Kraus and their journey. They stood up against animosity towards Jews in the 1930s to save 50 Austrian Jewish children from The Holocaust.
I was stunned  by the parallels between the political climate & isolationist policies in the 1930s and the current attitudes towards immigrants.  Everyone should read this book and think about the topics in this book.
3027017
Admirable example of ethnographic methods to reveal the critical participation of African Americans in the labor movement.  Needleman provides new evidence that black leaders were instrumental in breaking down barriers of racial discrimination.  In this work, Needleman deftly examines how African Americans took on powerful labor leaders and built autonomous African American organizations to encourage desegregation and the development of inter-racial alliances.  The writer is clearly among the leading ethnographers in the field, and this book makes a solid contribution to understanding the movement for racial justice in America.  Highly recommended.
4500954
Rabbi Yom Tov Schwarz writes this book out of deep caring for the Jewish people and a deep love of the God of Israel. He tells of his own experience in the Shoah and of being saved through the generosity and caring of fellow Jews who helped a total stranger. He makes the case that this kind of caring for Clal Yisrael and for each and every member of Israel was characteristic of the generation prior to the Shoah. He writes in the hope of restoring to Am Yisrael a deeper sense of this kind of caring for each other. He writes too out of a great concern for the factionalism and misplaced emphasis on one's own small group's way at the expense of consideration for other Jews. He speak also about the whole subject of  treating  the stranger with consideration and compassion thereby enhancing the name of the God in the world.

This is a book which I believe should be part of every religious Jew's educational curriculum. The book is ably translated from the Hebrew by the Rabbi 's son Rabbi Abraham Leib Schwarz.
1630897
This makes for some grim reading, but it's an important tool in understanding the past and tensions between Christians and Jews. Malcolm Hay writes with honesty; unlike someone with an agenda who will ignore evidence that doesn't fit with the premise, Hay presents evidence of positive Christian-Jewish interactions wherever he finds it. The research and documentation are impressive; it is unsurprising that it took ten years to complete this work. Recommended for anyone with an interest in Christian-Jewish relations.
2576563
I grew up, a Jew in the Northeast. I lived in a small Southern town for four years, working as a librarian. I became fascinated by what I read about Jews serving the Confederate cause. I read whatever I could get on Confederate Sec. of State Judah Benjamin. I wish Mr. Rosen had written this book 15 years ago. It is never too late, though.  This book should be in every Civil War collection, Southern Genealogy and University collections, and educated American. Another look at a tragic war that nearly tore this nation apart.
4517584
Steve Pressman's book chronicles the intense struggle of Philadelphia couple Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, to bring Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied Austria during World War II.

During WW II, the United States' immigration laws did not allow for safe haven of individuals who were suffering persecution or possible death in a foreign country. Kraus attempted to figure out ways to overcome immigration quotes, federal obstacles and bigotry within the government.

Gilbert Kraus, a lawyer, worked with the Brith Sholom agency, and discovered a way to bring children within the country, in spite of the American quota system. He managed to nab 50 visas to bring children abroad.

A lovely portrait of a courageous, heroic couple.
4253827
Rabbi Schwarz brings together many creative minds to explore the challenges facing the Jewish Community. It is difficulty for one generation to understand other generations & especially these days when things move so quickly that even siblings may have a generational divide. With the seductive nature of secular society in America traditional Jewish communal organizations face great challenges to attract younger members. This book articulates well the problems & some of the solutions.
772961
When the Jewish people left their original homeland and moved to new locations all over the world, they incorporated new spices, new vegetables and new ways of preparing dishes. However, whatever the food tneirparents served when they were young chidden left aan indelible mark, a sense memory that many held onto as they faced harsh times and the uncertainty of survival.hooray for June Hersh's attempt to reach out to people to help them to reflectnon those early food memories. This bok is a unique contribution to understanding a people and their culture.
4216152
The writer glossed over the struggle the Hebrews had with a pagan nation: how close did they Live to each other. I have a  neighbor who is loud, drinks all the time, and has friends coming and going . A Hebrew seeing this type of life style their festivals, rites that they rubbed  shoulder with. they did at some point give in. The best way I can explain it is your a Christian and you are in new York for the first time 10/26/13, what's going through your mind at that time, or  Marti gra in New Orleans. And 2) there where prophets in all generations that spoke for God where are they, Joel, Amos, Hosea.
1119310
Ben Kamins Dangerous Friendship: Stanley Levison, Martin Luther King JR., and the Kennedy Brothers is a must read for those interested in the truth of the relationship between the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr. A largely unknown character in this much known saga, Stanley Levison, brings a Jewish element through his words and actions to the relationship between the two brothers and the Master of Freedom, Martin Luther King Jr. Dangerous Friendship is compelling and revealing, challenging the reader to see our history with new eyes. We learn more about the inner Martin Luther King Jr. through his deep relationship with Stanley Levinson. We learn the courage that it takes to stand up for impassioned beliefs and that politics brings together strange bedfellows. Dangerous Friendship by Ben Kamin, should not only be on every college and graduate school syllabi, it should also be in every Americans library.
Rabbi Renee Edelman
1140308
This is The African American Jubilee Edition commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.  The Jubilee Scriptures are open this historical volume: Leviticus 25:8-12; Isaiah 61:1-4. and Luke 4:16-21.  The Scriptures lead you into the next 250 pages of writings, art, and photography that chronicle African American Church, Worship, and Spirituality from 1619.
  Section One begins "The African American Experience (from Experience to Biblical Image) -- Diaspora: from Africa to the United States, From Africa to the West Indies and South America; Since 1619: A Faith Journey; and Faith-Based Freedom."  Then a sub-section on "African Culture:" Kinship, Religion, Worship, Music."  "The Black Church:  Leadership and Politics, Preaching in the Black Church, The Black Church and Education, The Black Church and The Black Family."  "Creating a Jubiliee World:  Practice Jubilee, Celebrate Jubilee. And a Selected Chronology:  Struggles and Victories (1619 - 2009)."
  Section Two is comprised of 16 essays contributed by African American Ministers and Theology Scholars under the heading "Understanding the Bible and the World of Biblical Antiquity."  The subjects are "Interpretation of Scripture, Jubilee in Leviticus 17-26,  The Message of Salvation, The Relationship between Hebrew and African Languages, The Presence and Role of Africans in the Bible, The Presence of Blacks in Biblical Antiquity, The Alleged Curse on Ham; Slavery in the Ancient Near East, and Particularly in Israel; and Roman Slavery in Antiquity."
  Documenting "The Black Church" are four essays:  "A History of the Black Church; A Hidden History:  African American Contribution to the Bible Cause; Black Preaching in the Church, and lastly, Music in the Black Church."
  Under the subsection "Interpreting the Bible for African Amercans Today" in Section Two still, are three final essays:  "The Bible in African American Spirituality; Homegoing; and The Blessing: Restoring Hope for African American Youth."
  In the back of the Bible are "Bible Study Helps."  This section is equally intense with sufficient guidance and aids to disicple any reader into becoming an effective member in the Body of Christ and in life.
  ENJOY! One was a gift to me.  Consider them for gift-giving.  I purchased a second Book for my ministry and study.  ENJOY!  CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE!  Forgive yourself and others as God has forgiven you through Christ Jesus (taken from Ephesians 4:32, NIV).
342780
Amazing story that is most African American's story that had many siblings. Thank for the articulation of my tribe struggles.
3982063
This book poignantly describes the tragic fate of one Jewish family from Libya during the Second World War.

I was deeply moved by this book, but most of all I appreciated being acquainted with the mostly-unwritten chapter of North African Jewry in the Holocaust.

This is not the first book by Sucary that I read (the previous ones I read in Hebrew). I find him a daring author, always committed to carving new literary spaces and challenging entrenched, mainstream notions in Israeli society, whether at the personal level or the at the nation's narrative. Fascinating Work!
1243447
As we are about to enter into a new era of our world in January, and since our election incidents in racism and violence have increased, this is a story to be remembered. In 1955 a young black boy named Emmett Till was killed for whistling at a white woman. We begin to understand the lay of the land at that time.

In Mississippi, we come to meet Rose, a young black girl, being raised by her grandparents. Her mother, married to a new man had left Rose and her brother to move to Chicago. This would break anyone's heart, and, of course, these two were devastated. They lived in a poor area, slaves really, picked  cotton for the landowner. Their grandmother, Pearl and grandfather, Poppa, were very strict. Rose especially worked hard, picked cotton, helping her grandmother and going to school. She has a cousin, Queen, who does nothing but eat, sleep, read magazines and listen to the radio. Life is not fair.

Rose is13 this year, her best friend Hallelujah is a Preacher's son. What they learn this hot summer in 1955, will change their lives forever. Several young black men have been killed for registering to vote, all covered up by the local sheriff. The NAACP has come to town, the white men upset and  have become a group who will do whatever is necessary to keep their black folk from become so uppity and easy to control. Pearl does not want trouble and is dead set against the NAACP. These are the times that try everyone's souls. The simmering tensions, Rose's aunt who comes to visit from St Louis and brings ideas of freedom, changes Rose. Times they are changing, and only the young, it seems are willing to move on.

A wonderful book for all middle schoolers. My grandson is reading the book now, and it is a good introduction for him to those years, so that he can understand the hatred towards others he may see, now.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 12-03-16
1391343
Guyatt brilliantly traces the surface evolution of racism as our cultural and political ancestors struggled to integrate their belief in human equality with their emotional inability to accept equality with Africans and Indigenous Americans. His scholarship is impressive. The reader is left with a hunger for going deeper to touch the social psychological dynamics that erupted on to this surface history.