Contested Land, Contested Truth

a new book by Josh Wikoff

My former student and present friend Josh Wikoff has just published a book that, frankly, could hardly be more timely. He has woven together a collections of essays and viewpoints on the Jewish connection to the land of Israel that encompasses historical, political, and religious arguments to our claim to the land. To be honest - for one like Josh or me or anyone who contributed to this book, it seems almost absurd that the need for such a volume existד. Our connection to the land of Israel is borne out by archaeology, literature, continual settlement, and how central the land of Israel is to the existence of our people, our national culture. It sounds so strange to articulate the obvious: we could not be the people of Israel without the land of Israel.

Yet here we are, with a generation of Jewish young adults, our future, many of whom do not share the experiences and transmitted memories of our so recent past. For us - and I was born about 10 years after the creation of the State of Israel - for us, Israel was a miracle, a promise of redemption built upon the suffering and inexplicable resilience of the Jewish people. Israel redefined Jewish strength and courage. For many, it simply redefined what it was to be a Jew.

Missing this context, the younger generation is redefining Israel, not entirely sure where it lands in their Jewish identity. Much of that doubt has been generated or exacerbated by the recent war and how it has been covered in the West. And honestly, we too are to blame. Too few of our leaders have expressed a loud and clear message deploring the genocidal attack of Hamas, conveying pride and confidence in Israeli actions, and speaking clearly about our Zionist convictions.

This book comes to fill that gap.

I was overwhelmed when Josh asked me to contribute a piece about my own experience of living in Israel. I provided a short essay which stands in contrast to the sophisticated informative and analytical tone of the book, which is truly a tour de force of some of the best thinkers and writers on the subject of our roots in the land of Israel and our right to establish a state in our ancestral homeland. Josh asked me to write something more personal and perhaps more intimate about my own roots here, and I was honored and happy to comply.

Enjoy this book. It speaks not only of the knowledge of it contributors but also of the passion that Josh has always displayed for Israel and his clear Jewish vision. חזק חזק ונתחזק