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A**K
Should be required reading for students of the Middle East
Compelling from page one and beautifully written, this book should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding the relationships between Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Israelis as seen through mosiac of language.
B**N
A former IDF officer undertakes studies in an Arabic college, where he is the only Jewish student.
A former IDF officer undertakes studies in an Arabic college, where he is the only Jewish student. An honest portrait of his experience. One cannot help but admire his quest for knowledge and understanding in a complex situation.
J**N
Relentless curiosity and grace, and a hope for a shared future
A fascinating look into the author’s experiences as the first Jewish student at Al-Qasemi College (an Islamic Sufi institution) in the Israeli Arab town of Baka al-Gharbiyye. Following a full career in the IDF and Civil Administration, Lt. Colonel Avi Shalev enrolled in the college to become a Arabic teacher, disregarding his family and friends who told him he was crazy (but who then wanted to hear all about it). Avi started keeping a journal of his experiences in class and with fellow students, which then turned into the book (it was published in Hebrew a few years ago, and only recently in English). Nearly every encounter seems to lead Avi to more questions and a sense that the cultural chasms are greater than he could have imagined. But it is Avi’s relentless curiosity and grace, together with the response and openness of his fellow students that gives me some modicum of hope for a shared future. Halavai (may it come to pass) that each of us puts forth even a fraction of the effort that Avi does towards mutual understanding with our neighbors.
E**T
Excellent!
Submerging one westerner’s self into the day to day and psyche of Arab-Muslim in a very honest and unprejudiced way
N**
YES!! An eye opener, an unusual perspective and a very easy read.
Avi Shalev brings his own unusual perspective to a topic that we don't usualy think about. The book is packed with facinating facts. Avi keeps away from politics and invites us to join him on his own personal journey. A very easy and enjoyable read
A**R
A unique, fascinating and revealing memoir
Avi Shalev's account of his personal journey, as a retired IDF officer whose passion for Arabic language and culture led him to enrol in an Arab teacher training college, is truly extraordinary. His description of his encounters, friendships, fears, and discoveries is honest, insightful, and entertaining. This is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Israeli society, and the deep complexity of Arab-Jewish relations.
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