Book on Jewish heroes inspires

By Sammy Kempner and Jonny Singer | Haaretz : As Yossi Katz tells Michael Levin's story, the room fills with a collective sense of awe and inspiration.

It is this, in a nutshell, which Katz has set out to achieve in his new book, 'A Voice Called: Stories of Jewish Heroism', launched last month.

Katz, a former National Boxing Champion, long-time Jewish educator, and - like Levin - a native of Philadelphia, has created a book which seeks to rejuvenate the ideals which he sees as vital to the youth of today.

The book itself is a collection of 32 chapters on 32 Jewish heroes, ranging from Herzl to two former students of the author. It is 'the realization of a lifelong dream', both for the author and for the publisher, Ilan Greenfield.

Greenfield and Katz share the view that today's youth both in Israel and across the Western world are looking to the wrong type of role model ('the national hero is no longer Queen Esther, but rather Daisy Duke').

Instead of the greedy sports stars and egotistical celebrities whom they feel form the basis of popular culture and aspiration, Greenfield and Katz would like to see today's youth return to the values of 'brave warriors, inspiring poets, heroic athletes, underground fighters, spies, leaders and men of conscience'. In other words, people who Katz feels are less appreciated in this generation.

It is a view shared by many, particularly in this enthusiastic audience. Baruch Bebchick, featured in one of the 32 chapters, told the audience present at the book launch: 'Anyone can be a hero. This book is just a reminder of that.'

In fact, Katz was quick to say that the Purim holiday may be the time to stand up against our own current Persian threat.

It is perhaps here that we run into the underlying issue which was most evident at the launch. The demand for action, coupled with the constant praise for 'underground fighters' seems to settle worryingly close to the line which divides one man's hero with another's villain.

The number of 'heroes' who were imprisoned or killed for their actions goes with the subject matter, but Katz is quick to point out that they were all, at least in his eyes, fighting for a good cause.

Beyond this, while the publishers may claim that 'this is the ultimate book we would like to get out' one is inclined to question whether these sentiments will really get through to the mainstream youth without Katz?s charismatic personal involvement.

On the basis of this launch, it seems unlikely that 'A Voice Called' will reach its stated target audience of 'every Jewish youth in America and the World'. While this may be a noble intention, it is perhaps a little lacking in realism, especially given the heavily Zionist skew, which may deter some.

Despite this, Katz's undoubted passion and the gripping stories into which he is able to breathe new life, would tend to point towards the book?s success. The description of Eli Cohen as 'The greatest spy in the history of the world, who did more for a people in real life than James Bond ever did on screen' is an example of the author's rhetoric that leaves the audience flooding to buy copies.

Perhaps the global demand for the book could be questioned, but on this evidence the inspirational qualities of Katz, and his subjects, cannot.