Stanley Abramovitch

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I forgot to post this review when I should have, but the book has stayed with me for these months because of the passion of the author for his self-imposed task of restoring and supporting the restoration of Jewish culture, and the resettlement of many people from many countries in Israel after World War II. Through it all is the thread of what was lost and what can never be recovered. Reading this book puts an individual face on the heartbreaking stories of so many people. I am sure I would have been discouraged in the face of so much heartbreaking loss and suffering. But I also do not think that ancient folk ways can be restored to be anything more than a paltry shadow of what was. In that way, I worry that this task was impossible and that this very capable man has spent his life in what he felt he needed to do, while chasing after shadows.… (mais)

A fascinating history of one man's experience in helping to rebuild the jewish community after the horrors of the second world war. Not only was it an incredible story of one man's contributions in his own words, but the stories Mr. Abramovitch tells of those fellow travelers who worked along side him in their truly humanitarian efforts was incredibly heartwarming - from the soft assistance of the US Army to those like the author who dedicated their lives to the rebuilding of a decimated society. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Jewish history from World war 2 to the present.… (mais)

I'm still reading this book and the pages while interesting are dragging by at a snails pace. Abramovitch relates post-holocaust recovery events and relief/assistance programs he organized and assisted with over several decades. I am only at about page 94 and cannot see myself finishing the book anytime soon. Each page reads as a checklist of events and people over the course of a lifetime. Some detail is put forth but mostly I feel as if I'm reading a bulleted list.

The book is worth working through though as the information is quite interesting. I've been hearing on the news Iran's position on Israel and Iran's ideas about her own Jewish population. Abramovitch spent time in Iran and offers his view on Iranian Jews and Iran's policies and attitude to local Jewish population during the 50's through the 70's. Taking that into account the book gives me perspective on these current news stories.

I look forward to finishing the book although it may take several more months. I wonder what else Abramovitch did or witnessed and writes about in this book that will offer new insights into current attitudes and politics concerning the Jewish people.… (mais)