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Can We Talk About Israel? by Daniel Sokatch

Can We Talk About Israel?: A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted was written by Daniel Sokatch, an American Jewish activist and CEO of the New Israel Fund since 2009. His aim with this book, as he states in the first chapter, is to break down the conflict between Israel and Palestine into a thorough but understandable narrative so that the average uninvolved (but interested) person can understand it enough to participate in discussion to some degree.

Based on the fact that our group had several interesting discussions about it, I think he achieved that goal.

The first half of the book starts at the very beginning – God telling Abraham of Canaan – and steps through the full history of the conflict, highlighting the major incidents, competing interests and philosophies, milestone events, and most notable leaders on both sides to the present day. Though it was definitely engaging, this part was so full of facts that it was hard to stay focused and keep the details straight. Overall, it left us with a better understanding of the motivations and emotions behind both sides.

The second half went into greater detail about the “current” state of the conflict, such as it was in 2021 when the book was published. Sokatch stated that he endeavored to present it in a balanced way, and we felt that he achieved this also (or as our Bill Smith said, as even-handed a resource as we’re likely to find). We learned about the carved-up and walled-off map of the territory, the political climate and living conditions of the major hubs, the bond between America and Israel, the creeping Israeli Settlements, the debates around apartheid and BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel), what constitutes antisemitism versus fair criticism of Israel, and so much more. None of it told us how to feel, which is not a comfortable place for Americans who are used to being able to claim one position or another for every issue.

Much has happened since the book was published, most notably the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7^th, 2023, which is still a full-scale conflict at this moment. Sokatch continues to weigh in on the subject on the website for The New Israel Fund, an organization which was established in 1979 and “designed to expand the work that the United Jewish Appeal was then doing … to protect Israel’s strength by protecting democracy, human rights, justice, and equality for all Israelis – Jews and Arabs” (from jewishvirtuallibrary.org). His latest post can be found here: https://www.nif.org/blog/finding-light-in-the-darkness/. In it, he makes a statement that I find to be somewhat more hopeful than the last chapter of the book, which was titled “The Case for Hope.”

President Biden has offered us a light in this darkness. But there is another light, one that shines today in the darkness in Israel: Activists in Israeli civil society—regular Israelis, Arab and Jews, seeking a better, shared future—are leading the way towards a different path—especially grantees like Standing Together, Combatants for Peace, Bereaved Parents—Families Forum, Breaking the Silence, and Yesh Din—who either are co-led by Arabs and Jews or have worked hand in hand with Palestinians for years.

They know that Israelis share the responsibility for envisioning a horizon where tomorrow is better than today—for everyone.

On December 20, 2023, my daughter came home from college on Christmas break and we didn’t get through one full day before the issue of Israel/Palestine came up at the dinner table. I was glad to be able to understand her fervent opinion and offer thoughts of my own, which I would not have been comfortable doing if not for this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more.

— Julie Feirer

The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

At first, The Thursday Murder Club seems like a light read—charming and witty, with a murder or two thrown in for flavor. But below the fun façade lies a poignant and thought-provoking story about aging, love, loss, and hope.

The plot revolves around four “pensioners”—the book is set in Kent, England— who live in a countryside retirement home. They meet every Thursday to discuss cold cases and, as the plot progresses, they solve a few recent murders that stymie the local police. Elizabeth, a retired spy, is a catalyst for chaos who has a few tricks, plus a gun, up her classy sleeves. Joyce, a retired nurse, sees the humanity that Elizabeth can sometimes miss. She’s the book’s diarist, an outsider who couldn’t afford to live in Coopers Chase if her wealthy daughter hadn’t bought the place for her. Ibrahim still works as a psychologist and is the group’s data collector and analyst. Ron, a former labor organizer, provides a working-class perspective and a certain dim-witted clarity.

When a murder happens close to home, the group grinds into gear to find the murderer and, perhaps, report them to the police. Or not. As Joyce muses at one point:

“After a certain age, you can pretty much do whatever takes your fancy. No one tells you off, except for your doctors and your children.”

At the local police station, Donna longs to get into the detective squad, but doesn’t see it happening until Elizabeth intervenes. Chris, the DCI in charge of the murder investigation, is man enough to see Donna’s strengths, even if his skills as a detective fall far short of those of the murder club. (But whose don’t?) He’s preoccupied with a longing for a fantasy life he fears has escaped him. Good thing he takes to Donna so well, as she’s not only a solid investigator, but an impressive matchmaker.

The backstories and side characters give the book its depth. Steven, Elizabeth’s husband, is in the initial stages of dementia. Joyce is in deep grief over the loss of her husband and keeps looking for a replacement. Bernard, one option, has a grief he cannot live with. Ron’s son might be a murderer or at least a gangster. And Ibrahim fights racism with a sad aplomb.

The characters consume large quantities of wine and cakes as they plot their strategies and ensnare the bad guys. It keeps them young. As Joyce writes in her diary:

“In life you have to learn to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you.”

Author Richard Osman says he was motivated to write about senior citizens after visiting an upscale retirement home in England and meeting its accomplished residents who no longer went to work every day, but whose brains were still alive and quite well. This is the first book in a series; the fourth and most recent was published in mid-2023.

— Pat Prijatel

Forget Me Not Blue, by Sharelle Byars Moranville

Even though I finished Forget Me Not Blue some time ago, I have continued to think about the characters and wonder how they’re doing now. Our friend and novelist Sharelle Byars Moranville created a family of people who are fully believable, to the extent that my mind has them living just down the road off MLK — Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, right here in Des Moines. If only they were real, I could drop by their place with some cookies or invite them to church at St. Timothy’s!

Written for a middle grade audience, the main characters of Forget Me Not Blue are siblings Sophie and Con, with emphasis on Sophie. From her perspective as a ten-year-old, we see what life is like with a mom who is loving but unstable – disappearing for days at a time, exposing the kids to harmful elements, and eventually landing in prison. Sophie and her brother, 13-year-old Con, lean on one another for support as they navigate daily life at school, meals and activities at the Community Center, and their barely habitable living space at home in the attic. In one especially poignant scene, Con buys Sophie a pair of red shoes at Walmart – her only pair – and she treasures them. They become part of her “signature look.”

Sophie and Con are both very smart, and they’re fearful of letting others know too much about their situation because of the threat of being removed from home and split up. Slowly and incrementally, over the course of the story, they develop relationships with others. Con has a girlfriend who he eventually confides in. Tommy, the restaurant owner who employs their mother, takes a special interest in them which evolves. And their great-grandfather, Gunner, works very hard to overcome his own addiction and past mistakes to earn their trust.

Sharelle Moranville is part of our BBB (Books, Brew & Banter) Club that meets weekly, so we had the honor of hosting her for an in-depth discussion over two Fridays. We learned a lot about the steps of the publishing process, the important (and sometimes challenging) relationships between authors and their agents and editors, and the various revisions and decisions that are made over months, and usually years before a book is released. Sharelle has been lucky to enjoy a fruitful relationship with both agent and editor, as well as some important personal consultants who are fellow writers.

A well-honed element of the story that our group particularly valued was the way the mother, Ashley, was portrayed. Sharelle did not sugar-coat the reality of living with a parent who is addicted and therefore not making sound choices for herself or her children, but neither did she demonize Ashley as someone who did not care about her kids. Having worked with women who are incarcerated as part of her background, she knows firsthand that most of them think about their kids above all else. As you’ll see in the story, even the title of “Forget Me Not Blue” is a nod to that maternal bond.

As an adult and a former teacher of middle grade students, I think this novel would be very valuable reading for kids. Some will see themselves represented in its hardships, but in a way that respects their resilience. Other young readers may develop some empathy about the fact that the playing field isn’t level. I also think it would be enlightening reading for teachers or any adult who works with kids. Ultimately it is hopeful and you’ll enjoy it. The quirky, endearing voice of Sophie will stick with you, and you’ll root for her family and her future.

— Julie Feirer