----------------------- Message requiring your approval ---------------------- From: Jerusalem Books <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [ha-Safran]: Winter 2004-5 newsletter
Dear Friends,
The advent of 2005 has brought with it a �unity� government of sorts as PM Ariel Sharon and his Likud party have formed a government in partnership with Shimon Peres, the Labor party and some religious parties.
It is not entirely coincidental, as I see it, that this new government arises at the same time as a new PA (Palestinian Authority) President Mahmoud Abbas, aka Abbu Mazen takes office. Thus, the headline for early 2005 may be �Changing Circumstances Provide Opportunities and Pitfalls.�
So much for the political update, let's get to the book news.
We are pleased to announce that the new Jerusalem Books Winter 2004 � 2005 Catalog is coming out and is already posted on our website.
For a change, lets skip the title on the Dead Sea Scrolls, in Hebrew, by Hanan Eshel and several other important titles on different aspects of this field, and note that under Mahshevet (Jewish Thought), Daniel Abrams authored, in Hebrew, �the Female Body of God in Kabbalistic Literature, pub. by Magnes, (Cat. # 52914 $20.00). This is definitely a hot topic and we hope, a must have for every library or Jewish Scholar who ever heard of �the DaVinci Code.�
If the last catalog was from Begin to Beilin, then this catalog is from Burg to Leiberman. Also under "Mahshevet", please note that Avraham Burg, former speaker of the Knesset and head of the Jewish Agency, has written, �Elohim Hazar,� �God is Back,� published by Yediot � Hemed (Cat. # 52935 $22.00).
In contrast and at the other end of the political and religious spectrum is Avigdor Lieberman. MK and head of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" political party, former Likudnik and Netanyahu confidant, Liberman has written, Emet Sheli (�My Truth.�), (Cat. # 53355 $21.50). (On a more personal note, I had the chance to get to know Yvette, as he was known then, when we were students at the Heb. U. in 1980. Whatever you may say about his politics, this immigrant from Kishinev in Moldova, is, as a Zionist and patriot, the genuine article.)
-----------------------------------------------------------
This is it. I have been known to assert to librarians, professors, students and anybody who will listen, that Holocaust Memoirs are 1st person histories often the only documentation of significant historic events. They, therefore have special significance to libraries and scholars in future generations as primary research material. Please take special notice of the unique list of titles under the Holocaust category including accounts of Bergen Belsen and Mathausen concentration camps which have never been published before. There are books about Ghetto Lodz, by Haim Poda, (Cat. # 52245 $14.00) and �Dambinski House,� by the author of the same name, (Cat # 52207 $15.00).
Aside from highlighting some titles under Israel & Zionism, we would like to plug Ben Gurion University (of the Negev). Hedva Ben Israel has published an important work, �B�Shem ha-Uma,� �In the Name of the Nation,� on Nationalism and Zionism, published by Ben Gurion U., (Cat. # 52988 $22.00). Another work also published by B.G.U., by Zvia Balshan is on the disunity in the Socialist Zionist Confederation of the Poale Zion party, �Ihud me-fulag,� (Cat. # 52989 $23.00). The former book, could also appear under the Mahshevet category and the latter could easily be Jewish History.
On Hebrew Literature we Mossad Bialik is continuing to publish the complete works of Uri Zvi Greenberg, (Cat. #52069) is part 2 of vol. 16. Further, Hannan Hever, wrote, �Moledet Ha-Mavet Hayafa,� on aesthetics and politics in the works of Uri Zvi Greenberg, published by Am Oved, (Cat. #52172 $21.00) While we must mention the important works of Shulamit Elizur on Hebrew Poetry in Spain, we should also mention Dan Miron, �Zad ha-Afel,� on the Darker Side of Shalom Aleichem�s Laughter, (Cat. # 52421 $24.00).
In addition, we must mention, �ve-khi nahash memit,� by Yisrael Segal, an important Israeli journalist whose biography reflects his journey from an ultra � orthodox, Lithuanian Haredi family into the secular Israeli world. (Cat. #52614 $21.00)
Once again, I want to stress to all librarians, researchers, students and all those who appreciate the value of Holocaust research and documentation to pay special attention to this catalog. Many of these first person histories are published in limited numbers and on this 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz we must remember also that the witnesses to these events are fewer and dwindling.
Sincerely,
Jeff Spitzer
PS- For a change we decided to add a Post Script to mark the passing of an Israeli giant of humor the author, playwrite and film maker, Efraim Kishon. He was a brilliant satirist whose works were popular in Israel and worldwide. MK Tommy Lapid noted at his passing that he had been a victim of persecution at the hands of the socialist elite, similar to the treatment of Nomi Shemer and that he finally got 'Pras Yisrael,' the Israel Prize only a couple of years ago. Personally, I loved his work, Blaumilch Canal, Salah Shabatti and P.O. Azulai. I would call him the Norman Lear of Israel. Of course all of you know about his most recent work. 'Ha-Mishpat ha-Abahut shel Yosef ha-Nagar, whose correct translation should be, 'the Paternity suit of Josef the Carpenter.' This humorous play portrays the suit pertaining to the birth of baby Jesus. (Cat. #53480)
Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
