Page 26 - Jewish News_July-2020

26 July 2020 JEWISH INTEREST

Today’s Jewish diaspora communities

at once threatened and resilient

Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to The Jewish News

Exile: Portraits of the Jewish ters within Muslim countries, these “truly free” under the USSR leaders are the “head
Diaspora, by Annika Hernroth- people operate discretely and without shadow that still darkens to- and heart” of the Ir-
Rothstein. Edited by Tiffany Gabbay. calling attention to themselves. The day’s Russia. kutsk Jewish commu-
Bombardier Books. 208 pages. town has a full range of Jewish institu- A favorite chapter for nity, which is home to
Hardcover $27.00. tions and outlets. They have struggled many readers is likely to be at least 5,000 Jews. The
against persecution and assimilation, the one on Morocco. Ar- synagogue is jammed,
ometimes a relatively compact and found a way to survive and flour- riving in fabled Marrakesh assimilation seems un-
book has a lot to offer. It’s so ish. The island is home to 1,500 Jews the day before Passover, der control, and Jewish
Sunusual to find a book whose whose commitment assures, to the ex- Annika enjoys the syna- institutions – educational
author has a fascinating and necessary tent possible, a future sprung from an gogue service at Lazama and otherwise – are ac-
idea about Jewish culture, digs into the impenetrable core. These people know Synagogue, built in 1492 “and now tive. Strangely, Putin is an
topic and comes up with a result that that they must “plant their feet firmly housed inside of a sixteenth century ally of Russian Jews, who are deeply
is dazzling in its factual base, its inter- in the past.” Riad Mellah (ghetto).” She toys with patriotic and also open about their
pretation of gathered evidence and its Modern day Uzbekistan is a place the commonplace, that in Morocco the Zionism.
engaging voice. where people have lived since the “Old lives of Muslims and Jews have been This is only one of the many chap-
Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, a Jew- Stone Age.” Annika outlines its re- intertwined, but she also notes that this ters filled with surprises.
ish journalist from markable history through the shifting is true only in certain restricted areas. Aside from the four chapters
Sweden, set her- of empires. She reminds us that Uz- Annika moves gracefully from the old, skimmed to give a taste of this valu-
self a challenging beks fought in the Red Army against historic places of Jewish community able study, there are additional chap-
mission and the Nazi Germany and “500,000 of the sol- to the more modern ones, noting that ters detailing the past and present
results are illumi- diers were Jewish.” This nation gained Jews had served in important diplo- communities of Jews in the following
nating. The sto- independence in 1991. A humorous matic positions. Jewish life in Moroc- places: Cuba, Iran, Finland, Sweden,
ries she tells are scene involves what Annika calls an co can seem and, perhaps, be one of Palermo, Turkey and Venezuela. An-
at once consoling “Uzbek Orthodox subservience to the Muslim nika’s adventurous nature, her passion
and a bit frighten- flirtation.” She de- community. It is a life adap- for Jewish culture and history, and her
ing as well. Where scribes the conflict tation that is not uncommon openness regarding her personal expe-
Phil Jason is the Jewish dias- between the Ashke- in the diaspora. riences exploring these varied commu-
pora today? It’s in places you might not nazi and Bukharian She reminds us that tens nities is a treasure and a joy.
expect. Sephardi communi- of thousands of Jews arrived About the author
Come with Annika on her magi- ties. Throughout its in Israel between 1948 and Annika Hernroth-Rothstein is a former
cal mystery tour – a tour that took two history, the Jewish 1956, shrinking Morocco’s political advisor for the conservative
years. Uzbeks have fought Jewish community. coalition of Sweden, and now a full-
After an introduction in which she against assimilation, Can you imagine that time journalist and author. She contrib-
describes the sources of motivation for and the community such a book would contain a utes to such publications as The Wall
her project, the author launches her di- has often “teetered healthy section on Siberia? Street Journal, Israel Hayom, National
aspora guide with a study and reminisce on the brink of ex- Well it does. Review, The Washington Examiner and
about the Djerba community. Djerba, tinction.” Accusa- Annika Hernroth-Rothstein Annika relates the fact The Jerusalem Post. When she is not
an island in Tunisia, is a good starting tions of dual loyalties posed serious that, perhaps not ironically, Siberia writing, she travels the world and is a
point. She introduces us to guides and problems. Through all of these, Uz- means “The End” in the regional dia- sought-after public speaker on issues
community leaders who shape her in- bekistan’s Jews have survived. The lect of Ostyak. Siberia is immense. But of religious freedom, European politics
troduction to this unfamiliar place. She community continues to maintain its for many Jewish immigrants it offered and the Middle East. For even more
learns about the town of Hara Kbira, strong presence in “a peaceful, multi- a new beginning. It is a place rich in about the author, go to annikahernroth.
almost exclusively Jewish. It has 12 religious melting pot.” These Jewish natural resources that demand a labor com.
synagogues. As in other Jewish cen- citizens are at once “equal,” and yet not force to take advantage of them. Mil- Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus
lions of people have benefited from of English from the United States Na-
the Trans-Siberian Railway, including val Academy. He reviews regularly for
those who helped build this marvel. Florida Weekly, Washington Indepen-
Annika finds the towns she visits dent Review of Books, Southern Lit-
somehow familiar. It’s like a home- erary Review, other publications and
coming to this Jew of partial Rus- the Jewish Book Council. Please visit
sian ancestry. It is no surprise to find Phil’s website at www.philjason.word
a Chabad-Lubavitch presence whose press.com.

Big moments

DESERVE BIG MAZELS

Thursday, July 16 • 4:30pm

In this virtual stand-up comedy show, Joel will share his favorite
Jewish jokes and the role of Jewish humor, from Genesis to
Seinfeld and beyond. Joel has performed in 10 countries,
including Montreal’s Just-For-Laughs, the Melbourne (Australia) Commemorate life’s big moments
Comedy Festival, and Israeli late-night TV. Q&A session following. with a Federation Tribute!

To RSVP, visit JFEDSRQ.ORG/EVENTS

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Contact Trudi Krames at
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PER HOUSEHOLD
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941.552.6304

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