Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
If a Place Can Make You Cry: Dispatches from an Anxious State
In the summer of 1998, Daniel Gordis and his family moved to Israel from Los Angeles. They planned to be there for a year, during which time Daniel would be a Fellow at the Mandel Institute in Jerusalem. This was a euphoric time in Israel. The economy was booming, and peace seemed virtually guaranteed. A few months into their stay, Gordis and his wife decided to remain in...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
October 15th 2002
by Crown
(first published 2002)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
86)
A Jewish American family goes to
Israel for a yearlong visit and
decides to stay, just as Israeli
and Palestinian relations begin
to deteriorate. Will the family
stay? Should they stay? They
must; "it is our home."
Recommended.
Israel for a yearlong visit and
decides to stay, just as Israeli
and Palestinian relations begin
to deteriorate. Will the family
stay? Should they stay? They
must; "it is our home."
Recommended.
This book...hm. It was emotionally very difficult for me to read, especially since I'm Israeli myself. It's also difficult sometimes to make sense of the author's thoughts, since he wasn't intending to write a book and has simply compiled his emails with little or no editing.
If you already know a lot about Israeli history, this book will illuminate the human aspect of all those names, dates, and numbers of people killed. But if you don't, it will be very confusing, because Gordis often doesn't e...more
If you already know a lot about Israeli history, this book will illuminate the human aspect of all those names, dates, and numbers of people killed. But if you don't, it will be very confusing, because Gordis often doesn't e...more
One of my teachers (for three days) on JLI (Jewish Leadership Institute) in Israel. One of the most remarkable teachers, writers, storytellers and people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. This book did make me cry, and Gordis really makes you feel like you're living in Israel with him and his family.
Another book inspired by my trip to Israel. A great way to learn about the experience of an American immigrant to Israel. A thoughtful voice and an interesting format (series of letter home). A little bit forced at times. . .
I don't agree with Danny Gordis on everything, but his writing style is very evocative and I am always interested in what he has to say.
Great explanation of the Jewish connection to Eretz Yisrael.
Absolutely terrific!
My views on the conflict differ at times from Daniel Gordis' -- and that is perhaps why I so appreciated this book. His letters and observations capture the pulse of a place that is largely unpinnable. I thoroughly treasured his insights on Jerusalem, Israel, immigrant life in Israel and the conflict, as well as his observation of what a place making you cry can mean.
Very interesting book to read on the eve of my latest trip to Israel. Why would someone want to move there...many answers in this book.
Apr 09, 2013
Ben Berg
marked it as to-read
Mar 16, 2013
Allison
added it
Apr 18, 2013
Kristen
added it
Dec 02, 2012
Channah
marked it as to-read
Nov 28, 2012
Jennifer Schloss
marked it as to-read
Aug 15, 2012
Rhoda
marked it as to-read
Aug 02, 2012
Leah
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
