The Secret of Redemption

It is November 2013, nearly thirty years after Rabbi Levin taught and comforted refusenik families in the former Soviet Union and presided over the twinning of his bat mitzvah student, Simone Da Costa, with Sanna Tsivkin of Leningrad. Rabbi Levin is currently serving a synagogue in northern Manhattan which consists of a substantial number of Holocaust survivors. As his congregation observes the seventy-fifth anniversary of Kristallnacht, he is acutely aware of hatred of the other in America. Inequality, discrimination, segregation, violence against racial minorities, anti-Semitic incidents, and anti-immigrant bias were in full force. ICE was bearing down hard upon illegal immigrants. Many have taken refuge in religious institutions to avoid deportation and family separation. The ghosts of 1938 have reappeared on the synagogue's doorstep. Both Kristallnacht and its aftermath and the plight of Soviet Jewry seem as if they had only happened yesterday.Thousands of miles away, Rabbi Levin's daughter, Bracha, engages in graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and works for a human rights organization. She is on the front lines of the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict As a lover of Zion who is saddened by acts of terrorism perpetrated against her own people, she witnesses prejudice and violations of human rights and becomes disillusioned.A famous saying attributed to the Baal Shem Tov states that forgetfulness leads to exile, but remembrance is the secret of redemption. The upcoming observance of Kristallnacht sets off a chain of events which would lead to communal challenges and would move Rabbi Levin's community work in an unpredictable direction. Bracha's experiences would lead to serious questioning that would shape her career path. As both father and daughter embark upon a journey of remembrance, face the challenges of the present, and envision a brighter future for humanity, they discover the real secret of redemption.

"A Jewish family explores their faith in Gale's novel. Patriarch Rabbi Levin, the head of the Rodef Tzedek synagogue in New York City, prepares for a Kristallnacht observance and, later, a seder. His son, Greg, is studying German and is visiting concentration camps in Germany while living in Berlin. Rabbi Levin's daughter Bracha's journey is explored in more detail as she studies Arabic in Israel and confronts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict head-on. There is not much of a conventional plot; the story simply observes the Levin family as they navigate the intersection of their faith with real-world issues, such as Bracha's fight for the rights of Palestinians even as she is surrounded by advocates of Zionism and discussing nationalism with the friends she meets in Israel. Rabbi Levin oversees bat mitzvahs in Manhattan and attempts to get the synagogue involved in "social action projects." Later, Rabbi Levin and his wife, Tova, travel to Israel to visit Bracha. The novel feels thoroughly researched, and the author makes a concerted effort to showcase the varying opinions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the author's tendency to meticulously contextualize nearly every conversation between the characters with historical information and exposition often leads to dialogue that, while informative, reads as cluttered and unrealistic. For example, when Rabbi Levin is speaking to a friend, he says, "In 1954, in the landmark case of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, the Supreme Court ruled that separate was inherently unequal...Through white flight, red-lining, blockbusting, and gentrification, also known as urban renewal..." These are important issues to examine through fiction, but the execution could flow better and feel less like the characters are speaking in formal essays. Another (albeit smaller) problem is the shifting chronology, which can be a bit confusing. Despite these issues, Gale's story is worthy and takes great pains to explore Judaism and Zionism in a comprehensive and honest way.

An engaging and exhaustive look at Zionism and Judaism through a fictional lens."

Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Secret of Redemption is a work of fiction in the recent historical, religious, and slice-of-life subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Jeffrey Gale, this intriguing tale delves into the intertwined lives of Rabbi Levin and his daughter, Bracha, as they grapple with the echoes of historical trauma and contemporary injustices. Set against the backdrop of November 2013, the narrative explores Rabbi Levin's reflections on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Kristallnacht, juxtaposed with the challenges faced by his congregation in northern Manhattan. Meanwhile, Bracha, engaged in human rights work in Jerusalem, confronts the complexities of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and witnesses violations of human rights. As both father and daughter navigate their respective spheres, they confront prejudice, discrimination, and violence, prompting them to embark on a journey of remembrance and redemption.

Author Jeffrey Gale's narrative poignantly captures the intergenerational transmission of trauma and resilience, highlighting the importance of confronting the past to envision a more just and compassionate future. The character work is key in this accomplished novel and Gale achieves a huge sense of realism through the close narrative techniques as we get to know this extraordinary family. Their dialogue speaks volumes between the lines and allows ideas and concepts to build slowly and collaboratively so that readers never feel left behind or overwhelmed by the themes of the story. Through Rabbi Levin's and Bracha's experiences, the novel offers profound insights into the enduring power of remembrance as a catalyst for healing and transformation in the face of adversity, as well as a chance to see how ordinary people can engage with big ideas in a meaningful way. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Secret of Redemption as a deeply involved and thought-provoking drama for fans of recent history, culture, and religious topics.

"A bold narrative that confronts readers with uncomfortable truths and the intricacies of identity and religious conviction."

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka Independent Book Review

-- Jeffrey Gale