In the Name of Sorrow and Hope

by Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof

"Grandfather, you were the pillar of fire in front of the camp and now we are left in the camp alone, in the dark . . . . Grandfather, you were and still are our hero."

When Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof spoke at the funeral of her grandfather Yitzhak Rabin, she touched the world's heart. She does so again, in this deeply moving memoir and plea for peace.

A stirring voice from yet another Israeli generation living in turmoil and in danger, Noa, at age 19, reflects on her life to a childhood scarred by tragedy and rescued by her family's love; a constant fear--fed by random bombings- for the lives of relatives and friends; the chaotic impact of war--Lebanon, the Intifada, the Gulf War; the hate from outside, and now from within, Israel. Noa talks of her grandfather's assassin and the extremists who nourished his violence.

She shares her precious memories of her grandfather, with whom she lived until the age of six and to whom she remained close for the rest of his life. She offers insights into his transformation from soldier to leader to peacemaker, his courageous determination to change the course of the Middle East conflict, and the steps he took in search of a lasting peace for future generations of Israelis. Noa speaks to him, and to the world.

A book that is pure, passionate, and unfailingly honest -- and goes straight to the heart.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography, Middle East, Jewish, Autobiography

181 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1991

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English Ebook

Review follows later.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book right before the bombing between Israel & the Gaza Strip began and finished during that time in 2009. Written by the granddaughter of Yitzhak Rabin, she talks of her relationship with him, his assassination and the aftermath of that event in her life.

I found it sadly ironic that I was reading a book that was dealing with someone who had been trying for peace in his country & region, and who was killed for it. So many years later, and peace still is a high priced commodity in the Middle East.

I found that I could relate on some level to the author, most of us have lost someone dear & near to us. It also gave me a look inside some of the life of someone who is different than myself, Jewish and from a different country, but who is like so many other young people who have suddenly had to face a harsh reality like a death of a loved one.

[Donovan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into reading this book with a bias against other reviews that I'd seen back in the day when the book came out or a bit more recently. Several reviewers said it was self centered and hardly objective. Others said shallow. That piqued my interest but I never invested in a copy then and it fell off the radar. I found an autographed copy one day for next to nothing and sat down to read it.
My first thought was, "how can critiques be that hard on a young girl writing about the murder of her grandfather regardless of his political role?" As I made my way through the book I was touched by the personal stories of Noa as she revealed a more detailed view of Yitzhak Rabin. I've read his memoirs and other writings about him and all, even his own writings, left me wanting to know him in a more personal way. How can a man pursue peace and security in a violent world the way Rabin did? Especially having fought for it the way he had to?
After finishing the book I'm still wanting a bit more but I feel that Noa did a great job such a short time after the death of her Saba. She showed a personal side of a man that many of us could only see from a distance, in a war and in the pursuit of peace, that most of us will never truly understand.
I recommend this book but I'd love to see another volume written by her, these 22 years later. Would her perspective change? What would she, or could she, say differently now? How has modern history in Israel been affected by Rabin's death?

[LORIANN (my opinion doesn't mean much, but ...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh to be as brilliant and well spoken as Ms. Pelossof. I wish she would write another book ... I need the inspiration.

[Michelle Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart breaking story of loss. Yet a truly touching tale of love between grandparents and grandchildren.

[Jaynie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Buch hat eine 19 Jährige geschrieben, die gerade Ihren Großvater durch eine Gewalttat verloren hat.
Man hat diesen Gedanken im Hinterkopf und kann es dennoch kaum glauben. Mit welch einer Besonnenheit, Einfühlungsvermögen und Klarheit Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof in der Lage ist ihren Gefühlen über ihr Leben, ihr Land, ihre Geschichte und dem Verlust ihres so geliebten Großvaters Ausdruck zu verleihen ist mehr als nur beeindruckend.
Es gibt dem Leser einen Blick auf das krisengeschüttelte Land Israel aus der Sicht dieser jungen, aufgeschlossenen Frau. Noah versucht das Vermächtnis ihres Großvaters in die Zukunft zu tragen und man erkennt es in ihren Worten, Gedanken und Vorstellungen.
Eine Besonderheit dieses Buches ist sicher der Wechsel zwischen privaten Einblicken und dann doch wieder die, für eine 19 Jährige, sehr große Weitsicht in Hinblick auf die Geschehnisse und die Zukunft Israels.
Ich erinnere mich noch daran dieses Buch einmal meinem Geschichtslehrer geliehen zu haben, da er sich für das Kapitel "In Ausschwitz singen keine Vögel" aus dem Buch interessierte. Er bat mich am nächsten Tag darum das Buch noch länger behalten zu dürfen, denn er habe dieses einen Kapitel schon gelesen doch er könne das Buch nun nicht mehr aus der Hand legen.
Ich denke diese Aussage beschreibt "Trauer und Hoffnung" sehr gut. Das Buch nimmt den Leser mit, man denkt man würde allein mit Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof in einem Raum sitzen und ihren Erzählungen lauschen.

[Elliot Ratzman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yitzhak Rabin’s granddaughter wrote this soon after the Prime Minister was assassinated in Nov, 95. At the time it became a bestseller it was a deeply meaningful document, but it hasn’t aged well. As grandfather, Rabin seemed like a loving normal Sabra, slow to anger and lovey-dovey with wife Leah. I suspect this memoir was also intended to be an intro to Israel through the eyes of a young woman as she recalls her grandpa’s wars, political fortunes, and attempts at peacemaking—but without much explanation of the conflict, readers new to the issue won’t learn much. She travels with him to Poland for a Holocaust commemoration, gives a teenager’s account of her own Army and diplomatic service, eating McDonalds, etc. Small details from the funeral are the most memorable: Arafat’s heart-felt charm when he visited the Rabin family, Clinton’s avuncular manner, Mubarak’s formality and coldness. This short book leaves lots of questions unanswered, whetting my curiosity about Rabin’s last years.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this was initially written in English and translated, but it isn't a well written book, for her wanting to become a journalist, it's a fine written book. Also, I think if you were old enough to follow the events at the time of Rabin's assassination, this might not interest you. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this, and when I had the time to read, I reached for this book. She gives a wonderful insight into Israeli life and politics. I can see this becoming a classic with younger generations.

[Scott Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a memoir of Israel's assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, written by his 19 year old (at the time) grand-daughter. It speaks of Rabin's dedication to the peace process of the Middle East. It also speaks to the legacy of Auschwitz, as it comes to bear on a family, and on a nation. My only critique is that Noa's answers and solutions seem to be too simplistic given the complicated nature of the world stage to which it belongs.

[Run · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written memoir of her life growing up with her grandfather. It was hard to not become attached to their relationship and compare it to your own relationship with your grandfather. Very moving.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a first year at UVM in my introduction to Middle Eastern History Class. The book was an amazing window of how Yitzhak Rabin was as a Human not just a leader, from the view of his Granddaughter. I have long lost this book and would love to read it again.

[Laurie Monahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it when I went to Isreal on business for a week. It gave me a good look at their culture and traditions. people i was working with thought some of her political views weren't absolutely accurate.

[Rahadyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin 12 years ago hit me very hard. I found Rabin's granddaughter's memoir of a life during what seems like perpetual wartime quite moving. Would that we had more statesmen like Rabin, more soldiers and writers like Pelossof.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book over again before getting out of my chair!
It inspired me to write a collection of short stories about my own grandfather...
I am now reading it for the third time. The writing/writer is young and refreshingly honest.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and sad book by the granddaughter of slain Israeli prime minister Rabin.

[Doug Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good narrative about the life and assassination of Rabin written by his granddaughter.

[jillian Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book about 15 years ago, as a teenager, and truly loved it. Now as a 30 yr old woman, and especially in light of our current events, I can't wait to revisit this!

[Jacqueline Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful loving tribute to the late Yitzhak Rabin by his granddaughter.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm Rabin's granddaughter. Was hoping for something on what she's done with her life re: continuing his efforts toward peace. Did I mention I am Rabin's granddaughter?!