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Tuvia Book
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Tuvia Book
Author, educator, Tour-Guide, artist
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The New Jews: Operation Pillar of Defence

You’ll cry out for the kindness of the nations for the pity of the Goyim.

Just as you’ve been schnorrers before, you’ll be schnorrers again.

Chaim Nachman Bialik (1873-1934)  wrote these powerful words decrying the helplessness of the Jewish Diaspora existence in his epic poem “In the City of the Slaughter” after the infamous Kishniev pogrom of 1903.

Thank God we live in a different reality now.  Jew-haters have always tried to hunt us and kill us.  The big difference is that now, with the re-creation of our own Nation-State of Israel we can respond and hunt back and defend ourselves.  Jews for the first time in almost two millennia are in charge of their own destiny.   When we say never again, we mean NEVER AGAIN!

Jews are strong – and the world does not like that.

For four days the murderous terrorist entity in the Gaza strip rained down missiles with impunity on the south of Israel.  More than one seventh of Israel’s population was, and still is, constantly living fifteen seconds away from potential death – and the world said nothing.

It is okay for the Jews to be victims.

But when those very same Jews don’t rely on the “kindness of  the nations” and take matters into their own hands, then the world wakes up and gets involved.

It is not okay for the Jews to be strong.

In the words of the sages:  “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”  One thing we have learned in our long history, and through the dark night of exile, is that we Jews only have ourselves to rely on.  As we celebrate the new month of Kislev we are fortunate to remember, in the words of Bialik that we are “The descendants of the Macabees.”  Just as “the few gained victory over the many” in those days, the fortitude of the southern residents and the courage of our soldiers in the Israel DEFENCE forces will ensure that good will triumph over evil in these days!

Photo (c) Tuvia Book, 2012 

About the Author
Tuvia Book has a doctorate in education and is the author and illustrator of the internationally acclaimed Israel education curriculum; "For the Sake of Zion; A Curriculum of Israel Studies" (Fifth edition, Koren), "Jewish Journeys, The Second Temple Period to the Bar Kokhba Revolt, 536 BCE-136 CE," (Koren), "Moral Dilemmas of the Modern Israeli Soldier" (Rama) and the soon to be published “Jewish Journeys, The First Temple Period, 1000 -586 BCE” (Koren). Dr. Book was born in London and raised in both the UK and South Africa. After making Aliya at the age of 17 and studying in Yeshiva he volunteered for the IDF, where he served in an elite combat unit. Upon his discharge he completed his undergraduate degree in Jewish history and literature, as well as a certification in graphic design. He then served as the Information Officer and deputy head of security at the Israeli Consulate of Philadelphia, while earning a graduate degree in Jewish Studies. Upon his return to Israel, Dr. Book graduated from a course of study with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and is a licensed tour guide. Tuvia has been working in the field of Jewish education, both formal and informal, for many years. He has guided and taught Jewish students and educators from around the English-speaking world for some of Israel’s premier educational institutions and programs. Tuvia has lectured throughout North America, Australia, Europe, and South Africa. In addition, his artwork has been commissioned on every continent (except Antarctica). Tuvia served as a Shaliach (emissary) for the Jewish Agency for Israel as the Director of Israel and Zionist Education at the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (Jewish Education Project). He was a lecturer/educational guide at the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE) in Israel. Tuvia has lectured at both Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University. He is a Teaching Fellow at the Tikvah Fund. He is a research associate at the Hudson Institute. His latest book, "Jewish Journeys, The First Temple Period, From King David to King Zedekiah, 1000 - 586 BCE," (Koren) is part of a series on Jewish history.