One of the most thought-provoking books I've read this year is
Howard Rotberg's The Second Catastrophe.
The Second Catastrophe is really two books blended together. One
is a historical fiction about a Canadian Jewish professor, Norman
Rosenfeld, who comes to Israel to visit his daugher who has been
injured in a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. We share his emotional
journey as he learns what it is like to live in this tenuous
situation with all those who are dear to him. He is very concerned
with the growing anti-semitism in Europe and in the western world.
He feels the despair in the hearts of the people, as peace becomes
more and more elusive. Strangely enough, in spite of his angst, the
will to live that thrives in the Israeli people empowers him, and
his life takes on a greater purpose. He becomes more accepting of
his loved ones. The story is vital and engaging with some
unexpected twists.
Questions that have haunted him since he was a youngster arise. Is
God punishing the Jews for not keeping the covenant as they should?
Will there be another major catastrophe because of it? What can be
done, if anything, to change the over-burdening threat to Jewish
existence?
The second book is a cultural history that the professor is writing
during his spare time, when not involved with his daugher, his
father or his other friends. This book reflects issues and events
that are actually happening as well as attitudes and perceptions of
the times.
For Professor Rosenfeld, the present-day events echo past events of
the 1930s that sadly led to the Holocaust. The professor wonders,
if the present events do indeed parallel events of the past, will
they lead to a second catastrophe, a second Holocaust? The reader
is drawn into this devastating view and struggles with the outcome
of this perception. The Israeli and Judaic reality of the 21st
century is not as secure as we hoped it would be when the State was
founded. Rotberg's historical references are many and his analyses
are clearly written and accessible to the average, non-history
reader. The chapters of the professor's book are interspersed with
the chapters of the fiction, each enhancing the other in an
enlightening, fresh perspective for the reader.
The professor sees that many people living far away from the
turmoil have a nothing bad can happen attitude. But Professor
Rosenfeld is passionately opposed to this attitude. His book is an
urgent, passionate call to end complacency and take seriously
threats raised against the Jewish people. Otherwise, catastrophe
could follow. I hearken to the alarm that Rotberg has audaciously
and bravely presented. It has happened before and it could happen
again! We must be on the alert.
Anyone who reads this book will be inspired to safeguard Israel,
democracy and freedom, ever mindful that we cannot afford to be
complacent.