A 20th century biography

Memoirs of a Fortunate Jew: An Italian Story by Dan Vittorio Segre is a biography−not the sort of book I read a lot of−but this turns out to be a fascinating account of a man growing up as a Jewish Fascist in Italy and relocating to Palestine as a teenager. The book is filled with interesting insights: Since the Jews in Italy, living in ghettos, did not have the same feelings of local loyalty that most Italians did, they were more comfortable as “Italians” when the country became a single nation. Segre’s father was an Italian Fascist and local official and was protected by his neighbors during World War II. As an outsider in Palestine before it became Israel−as an Italian Jew he was neither Ashkenazic nor Sephardic, Segre saw the politics of nation-building there from a different perspective, although he is quick to admit that his youth and innocence may have made him not as aware as he might have been. He includes vignettes from the lives of people he met; some of them horrific. He did the translation himself, with help mentioned at the beginning of the book.

Caring Committee

The Caring Committee has kindly provided over a shelf’s worth of books to the library for people seeking comfort and advice for difficult times in life. Talking to others, including our clergy, and letting them help is valuable, but reading can offer additional insights and perspectives.

As this week’s guest reviewer, Leslie Mahtani, our cataloger extraordinaire, says:

This new collection includes works on bereavement for adults, teens and children; healing; chronic and terminal illness; miscarriage; divorce; and substance abuse. There is one book in particular that might be very helpful to a lot of people: A Time to Mourn, a Time to Comfort: a Guide to Jewish Bereavement, 2nd ed. by Dr. Ron Wolfson. It’s distinctive because the author discusses special issues of death brought about by many different causes. It also gives detailed advice to both mourners and comforters.  So many people sincerely want to offer comfort, but feel awkward doing so for fear of somehow offending or disappointing someone in mourning.   By addressing “how to’s,” the author enables readers to move past that fear and become a true source of support.

The books are located on the first tall bookcase on the right as you enter the library. Please check them out. And comment here on what you think.