Rereading Israel: The Spirit of the Matter
National Jewish Book Award 2012 Finalist Winnerin the category of Modern Jewish Thought and Experience''Bonna Devora Haberman's highly original book examines modern Israel - its achievements and its travails - through the prism of the religious texts and traditions that sustained the Jewish nation in exile. At once brisk and spiritual, Rereading Israel finds inspiration in those sources for the construction of a mature, fulfilled Jewish nation state.'' --David Horovitz, founding editor of the online newspaper The Times of Israel, previously editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post''Wow! This is a beautiful and profound book. Using a symphony of sources, expertly traveling between modern Western concepts and traditional Jewish texts, Bonna Devora Haberman brings new dimensions to our understanding and appreciation for Zionism. Showing how Zionism resolves tensions like the mind-body duality helps us see Zionism as it is - far beyond the headlines - a healing project for the Jewish people and humanity.'' --Professor Gil Troy, McGill University, author of Why I Am a Zionist''Rereading Israel: The Spirit of the Matter is a deeply learned, fluent case for a Zionism that is passionate, faithful and innovative all at once. Neither stuffy nor superficial, this is a book to ignite those who will carry the Zionist dream into the future.'' --David J. Wolpe, author of Why Faith Matters and rabbi of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles