Books Set in Asia: Israel

A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy, by Nathan Thrall (2023)

Nathan Thrall is a Jewish-American journalist based in Jerusalem.  This book describes a bus accident in which a bus-load of young Palestinian kindergarteners were killed or severely injured.  The accident occurred at or near a check point between Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The accident occurred during a strong rain storm.  The bus was driven by an inexperienced driver and the bus itself was old and in very bad condition.  The bus had been involved in several prior accidents.  The author, however, opts to use very inflammatory language in describing the accident and portrays the Israelis as the evil villains who bear the bulk of the responsibility for the accident.  Because the accident occurred at a check point in Area C, response vehicles were slow to arrive.  The author blames the Israelis for this slow response.

It was a tragic accident, but there were many other factors contributing to the accident.

Read: August 29, 2024

Books Set in Asia: Israel

The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah, by Joel Chasnoff (2010)

Joel Chasnoff, the author of this memoir is a stand-up comedian, who, at the age of 24 decided that he wanted to join the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  Chasnoff grew up in a Conservative home in the United States, but felt a strong connection to Israel.  He had made a couple of visits to Israel, and as he explored his Jewishness, he decided he wanted to fulfill his long desire to serve in the IDF.  He describes his entry into the IDF, where he was assigned to the Armored Corps.

This book describes the rigors of the basic training and the bonds formed with his fellow soldiers.  At age 24, he was years older than his fellow recruits, who were all still in their teens.  His superior officers were barely in their 20s.  He is trained as a tank gunner, and after initial training, finds himself in the Golan on the Israel-Lebanon border.

On his rare days off, he visits his Israeli girlfriend and her family in Tel Aviv.  His training schedule is exhausting and on his time off, he only wants to veg.  His girlfriend, however, wants to party.  Maintaining a relationship is not easy.

When Chasnoff and his girlfriend decide to get married, he also learns just what it means to be a Jew in Israel.  Parts of this book were laugh-out-loud funny.  Other parts certainly provide food for thought.

This book was an easy and enjoyable read.

Read:  June 11, 2020

4 Stars