Tablets Shattered: A Conversation with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz and Author Joshua Leifer

From the Bimah: Jewish Lessons for Life

In late August Joshua Leifer, author of Tablets Shattered, was going to be in dialogue about his new book with a local Brooklyn rabbi. They were infamously banned from the bookstore because they are Zionists. While the employee who tossed them was fired, it is sobering that in America, in New York, in August of 2024, an author could get banned for believing that the Jewish people have a right to a homeland. The day that Josh Leifer was banned by the bookstore I called him. His mother and Shira have been the best of friends for more than forty years, since they were roommates in college. I invited him to come to Temple Emanuel, and he said yes on the spot. Josh will be talking about his book on Wednesday night, September 18. His talk will be from 8:00pm to 9:00pm, and he will sell and sign books after his talk. This book brilliantly addresses two questions that people my age ask about our children: Jews in their 20s and 30s. Why are our adult children so seemingly disconnected from their Judaism? We brought them to shul. We gave them a good Jewish education. We went on family trips to Israel. They went to Jewish summer camp. And now, they don’t belong to a synagogue, and their Judaism does not seem relevant to their lives. What happened? Why the disconnect? Why are our adult children so neutral to negative to hostile towards Israel? This was a problem before October 7, and it has been exacerbated by October 7 and the subsequent almost year of war. Israel got attacked on October 7. Why can our adult children not muster empathy for fellow Jews who are literally fighting for their lives? Josh is of this generation. His book analyzes why the very pillars of 20th century post-war American Judaism have crumbled for his generation, and what to do about it so that the rising generation’s commitments to the Jewish people, to Jewish practice, and to Israel can be renewed and strengthened. Josh’s voice on Israel is left-of-center. He uses the word “occupation” which may make many in our congregation uncomfortable. His critique of the Israeli government for the occupation, and his sympathy for the rights of Palestinians, may make many in our congregation uncomfortable. But if we want to understand the feelings of our children and grandchildren on Israel, we have to be able listen to this point of view. Josh and his new bride are spending their first year of marriage in Israel. He votes with his feet, and we need to hear him and the views of many in his generation. If not, we will stare at our children and grandchildren with mutual incomprehension. This is a rare opportunity to hear from a major new voice.