So Many Doubts, So Many Questions – The Land of Hope and Fear, Israel's Battle for Its Inner Soul by Isabel Kershner

Those of us who were Jewish children born in the United States not long after end of World War II and the founding of the State of Israel grew up with a rosy, inspirational set of images and ideas that are quite different from the modern, realistic picture of the country that Isabel Kershner presents in her book. 

Obviously, it has been clear that all is not milk and honey in Israel for many years, especially since the rise of Netanyahu and the hard right that supports such policies as exempting the Haredi from military service and taxes, and promotes settlements in disputed areas. 

Kershner, a long time reporter for the New York Times, and a resident of Jerusalem, presents the history and many sides of modern Israel in great depth. She examines the waves of immigration that have made the country far more complicated and heterogeneous than it was at its founding. Reading this book is illuminating, fascinating, and more than a little depressing at times. Israel cannot be kept on a pedestal – there are so many possibilities, and so much achievement, but also so many inequalities, contradictions, and frustrations for those who are minorities or viewed as outsiders. 

The book is eye-opening and thought-provoking. It was written before the current war, and ends on a note of hope, but knowing what has transpired since it was completed, makes it all the more an illuminating, compelling and vital book for those readers who are concerned about the rightward swing in politics here in the United States and other countries, and the increase in anti-Semitic (and anti-Moslem) crimes and protests. While it has no answers, it does provide some background and reasons for the alarming trends we face in the world today.

The Spirit Remains Strong: The Lost Boys by Faye Kellerman

After 26 novels featuring the same two primary characters, you might think a series could be getting stale, but I can assure you that is not the case with Faye Kellerman's latest suspense novel, The Lost Boys. Detective Peter Decker and his wife Rina Lazarus are back, along with Pete's partner, Tyler McAdams, to solve a disturbing crime, and Gabe, Peter and Rina's foster son, who has family issues to resolve. 

These characters keep becoming more complete, and more nuanced, with each book. They've aged and changed in a realistic way – Peter is now looking towards 70, and Rina is well into her 50s. They've left behind Peter's high-pressure job at the LAPD and have already spent a few years in a small college town in upstate New York, where the crimes are fewer but no less complex.

The blended Decker family includes Peter's daughter Cindy and her husband Koby, Rina's two sons Jacob and Sam and their wives, Peter and Rina's daughter together, Hannah, and her husband plus a tableful of grandchildren. Gabe is in his 20s now too, and in a serious relationship. The changing and expanding family figures heavily in this book.

Along with the usual murder plot, Kellerman dwells heavily on where life will next take the Deckers. What lies in store for this unique couple? Observant Jews, Peter came late to discovering his heritage but has throughly embraced it, while Rina is as contemporary as can be while honoring her Orthodox background, keeping kosher, dressing modestly but stylishly, and spreading her goodwill and kindness everywhere she goes. Kellerman acknowledges how priorities change during life's stages.

It was thoroughly enjoyable to spend some time with these characters, who at this point, feel like old friends. I'd love a seat at their Shabbos table sometime...especially if Rina does the cooking.

 

Rina and Peter on Their Own: Walking Shadows by Faye Kellerman (Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus, #25)

I enjoyed this latest Decker/Lazarus novel because it examined their relationship more closely, leaving out, for a change, the extended family. Faye Kellerman brought to light some of the issues facing older couples - retirement, health concerns and worries about their own very elderly parents.

As usual, there was a gruesome murder and other crimes to solve, and good detective work by Peter, Rina and Tyler McAdams (Decker's young and prickly partner). Tyler has become familiar with Judaism, kosher food and Shabbos observance, and enjoys being a frequent visitor to his mentor's home.

I also enjoy Kellerman's very visual descriptions of the locales, the appearances of the characters, and especially Rina's wardrobe, in which she manages to follow Orthodox conventions but still look contemporary and fashionable.

There was a good tease at the end about what's next for Peter and Rina, and I'm looking forward to it!