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A review by okiecozyreader
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Noa Tishby, Emmanuel Acho
informative
medium-paced
4.25
I am glad Zibby Owens chose this book for her bookclub. I haven’t known a lot of Jewish people. I grew up in rural Oklahoma and I don’t think there are many in the areas I have lived. Recently, I have made several Jewish friends online in bookstagram and I have read several books by Jewish authors that discuss things related to their faith. I don’t feel like I have had or known a lot of the history or pre-conceived ideas people have about Jews mentioned in this book, because of my lack of experience. So that part of the book is new information to me. I felt like some parts were repetitive.
I do think the audiobook, which is somewhat of a conversation back and forth between the two authors, would be helpful. There is also a recording of the original podcast where he interviewed her, and then an appendix where she discusses some Jewish terms (both to say and know and not to say). I wish I had a physical copy so I could refer to the table of contents or see some information.
“It made me wonder, “in whose life am I the oppressor and what if the line between the oppressor and the oppressed isn’t as clear as we thought. So this time, instead of answering the questions, I’m asking them. I’m getting curious, getting vulnerable, and of course, getting uncomfortable.” A Word from Immanuel
On Learning to read and write to pass on Jewish stories:
“The teachers would smear honey over each letter of their little tablets so that the children would lick it off, forming a sweet association with the written word, and it’s been love with a hint of obsession ever since.” Part 1 chapter 3
Misconceptions on Jewish faith:
Not a definitive race - “the key reason why it’s important to establish that there is no such thing as a Jewish race is because the idea that it is a race foundational to antisemitism for decades.”
Biological distinct - no similarities. Part 1 ch 4
3D test by us department of state in 2010
Demonization (caricatures like power hungry, Double standard (judged by a different standard), Delegitimization (denying Israel’s right to exist)
Part 2, ch 20
I do think the audiobook, which is somewhat of a conversation back and forth between the two authors, would be helpful. There is also a recording of the original podcast where he interviewed her, and then an appendix where she discusses some Jewish terms (both to say and know and not to say). I wish I had a physical copy so I could refer to the table of contents or see some information.
“It made me wonder, “in whose life am I the oppressor and what if the line between the oppressor and the oppressed isn’t as clear as we thought. So this time, instead of answering the questions, I’m asking them. I’m getting curious, getting vulnerable, and of course, getting uncomfortable.” A Word from Immanuel
On Learning to read and write to pass on Jewish stories:
“The teachers would smear honey over each letter of their little tablets so that the children would lick it off, forming a sweet association with the written word, and it’s been love with a hint of obsession ever since.” Part 1 chapter 3
Misconceptions on Jewish faith:
Not a definitive race - “the key reason why it’s important to establish that there is no such thing as a Jewish race is because the idea that it is a race foundational to antisemitism for decades.”
Biological distinct - no similarities. Part 1 ch 4
3D test by us department of state in 2010
Demonization (caricatures like power hungry, Double standard (judged by a different standard), Delegitimization (denying Israel’s right to exist)
Part 2, ch 20