Comments on: A voice from Gush Katif

By: Mike Lowenstein

Mike Lowenstein — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:45:41 +0000

Excellent job in capturing the many emotions connected to the expulsion of the Jews from Gush Katif – Shifra has already shown that she is a gifted writer at a young age. Kol Hakavod!

By: Steve Pollak

Steve Pollak — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:32:31 +0000

abigail, i agree that it would be a book that teens and young adults would learn from. shifra has certainly lived through a lot in life already and her experiences would inform the lives of other young people.

yosef, you bring up lots of interesting points, especially regarding the reasons for the expulsion.

thank you both for your thoughtful comments.

By: Yosef Goldgur

Yosef Goldgur — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:39:23 +0000

A good many Religious Zionist Rabbis pointed out in retrospect that the reason for the explusion, even if in an indirect way, was the lack of communication between settlers and the rest of the nation, the former being concerned with their affairs and enclosed, subconsciously mimicking the path of Charedim Orthodoxy. The latter, as a consequence, were indifferent to them.

This book is an attempt to bridge that wide gap, and at least from my standpoint it exceeds expectations. For, even if one does not agree, he at least understands, raising the dialogue from cheap slogans to intellectual discussion.

The pure faith expressed in the book brings to mind heroics and self-sacrifice that are to be found in the birth-pangs of the State, and indeed there is an attempt in the book to draw a parallel between the two. Whether you agree or not to the ideology, the question appears; will I go to such lengths for MY ideals?

As one who is acquainted with both book and author, I would definitely recommend this book to all. This review, though short, is admirable and it is to be hoped that in the future works as “Grains of Sand” would promote greater understanding between the different sections of the nation.

By: Abigail Leichman

Abigail Leichman — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:11:51 +0000

I reviewed books for children and teens for many years for AMIT Woman magazine. After reading Shifra Shomron’s novice novel, I have no doubt I would recommend it highly in that column. Somehow, Shifra manages to write without the bitterness that none of us would begrudge her. There is a sweet innocence, a pure faith, that shines through amid the pain. I believe every Jewish teen should add this book to the list of literature about modern Israel that must be read in order to grasp what really goes on here. It is firmly in the young-adult category of literature — of which there is so little for Jewish adolescents — but it’s also worthwhile for adults to read along with their kids. And because the author is a real, live person, readers will surely want to access her website and get to know her a little better.

By: Steve Pollak

Steve Pollak — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:44:06 +0000

thanks, bonnie. i appreciate the comment.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:31:05 +0000

It’s difficult enough as a child to move, but to have your own government basically disavow your right to live where you choose is something that, as an American, I cannot comprehend. This book gives an amazing insight into how it “feels.” And this review does a wonderful job asking you to take that experience.