Americans and the Birth of Israel

(Hardback)

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Americans and the Birth of Israel tells the dramatic story of how a ragtag group of Americans of all religions worked, often in secret and facing the possibility of arrest and imprisonment, to make sure that after the Holocaust a refuge for Jews would be born. It is a story that is not well-known but deserves to be. The book tells the story of how Americans raised money, gathered munitions, ships, and planes, rescued Holocaust survivors and sneaked them past the British patrols, helped Israel prepare militarily, engaged in dramatic political efforts in Washington and the United Nations to secure Israeli statehood, participated in cultural activities to support the Zionist cause, and in other ways made a decisive difference in allowing Israel to be born. From well-known figures like Golda Meir to little-known individuals, Americans and the Birth of Israel brings these compelling stories to light and explores the complex relationship between the United States and Israel historically and today.

Reviews

At a moment when many young American Jews are questioning their connection to the state of Israel, Lawrence Epstein has given us a compelling reminder of the depths of that relationship for both Israel and American Jewry. A fascinating story about courage, commitment, and above all love. -- Yossi Klein Halevi, Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem; author of Like Dreamers
Lawrence Epsteins powerful combination of research and storytelling makes this book a compelling and fascinating read. He refers to his subject as a story that deserves to be shouted, and it is one that dispels the myth that Jews dont know how to fight or fight back. This is an account of the extraordinary bravery, amazing resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment required for the creation of the State of Israel. The heroism and chutzpah of so many American Jews is worth shouting about! -- Rabbi Stephen Karol, rabbi emeritus, Temple Isaiah, Stony Brook, New York

Author Bio

Lawrence J. Epstein is professor emeritus at Suffolk County Community College, where he taught courses on Jewish thought and culture. He served as Adviser on the Middle East for two members of the United States Congress. He is the author of numerous books, including The Basic Beliefs of Judaism, Converts to Judaism, and The Dream of Zion.