Title: The Decision
Author: Reuben
Bibi
Publisher:
Xlibris
The name of this most interesting and
exciting book is The Decision -
with the subtitle: "A Novel. The author has chosen to use the
form of the novel to offer a refreshingly forthright treatment of a
difficult problem - and using a fictionalized account, has offered a
cogent argument against the tsunami of intermarriage that is afflicting
the Jewish community.
Throughout the story we join with
the characters, riveted by the pain and anguish of their situation, one
that is repeated in so many families that are affected by
intermarriage. The story
follows a well-known progression. A young Jewish man meets a gentile girl
at a Club Med vacation spot. They fall in love and decide to marry. The
girl, Susan, introduces Michael to her parents. After the usual
small talk Susan's father brings up the subject of children and how they
will be educated in a mixed marriage.
But Susan and Michael are young and in love and they are convinced
that love will conquer all. Then the young couple goes to meet Michael's
parents, who have a mixed reaction. His mother is pleased that her son
finally has found a life-companion. His father has certain reservations
about the intermarriage - which he fails to act upon - making no real
effort to prevent it. And so the couple marries and within a short time
they have a daughter and a son.
With the birth of their children, Susan
desires to have some religion and spirituality in her family, but Michael
has had no foundation in religion, coming from a Reform, non-practicing
Jewish home. Susan persists and finally persuades Michael to attend
classes given by her Catholic priest. There he is exposed to non-Jewish
interpretations of the Bible.
When their son Eric becomes seriously
ill and is rushed to a hospital emergency room, Michael encounters an
Orthodox Jew who is also at the hospital that night holding vigil for his
sick son. The two men start to talk about their common problem and it
isn't long before Michael shares his personal story with Isaac.
Isaac counters by telling Michael
about Jewish history and particularly about the long history of
anti-Semitism, recounting persecutions, pogroms, inquisitions, expulsions,
massacres and slaughters that were all done in the name of the Church. As
it is Chanukah, Isaac explains to Michael why it is so important that we
light Chanukah candles, telling him, "They bring out what people call the
pintele Yid, the tiny flame inside
each Jew that links Jews to their Jewish soul and brings us back to our
true selves." The two men speak for a long time, and Michael becomes more
and more interested in Isaac's words. They agree to meet again and
continue their conversation.
Shortly after this
incident, Susan tells her husband that she has spoken to her priest, and
he is convinced that their Eric's illness has come upon them because he
was never baptized. Susan vehemently insists that he be baptized,
immediately. This is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Michael
reaches out to his new friend Isaac and their subsequent meeting and
conversation result in Michael's momentous decision.
The greater part of the book is devoted
to the fallacy that intermarriage can work. Michael voices his own
confusion: "I did not want to
give up my Jewish heritage...Hitler tried to destroy the Jews and failed,
but here I am allowing my Jewish identity to die in a different way. I was
losing no matter which way I turned."
We are
indebted to Reuben Bibi for his excellent exposition of the complex
problems and how they might be solved. For in this chaotic situation,
where not only parents, but also grandparents and siblings are involved,
all will have to come to important realizations and make serious
decisions.
Michael's parents are faced with the difficult task of having to
come to terms with their own failure in their children's education, while
at the same time revealing their own background and the decisions that led
their family on this erroneous path.
Who
should read this book? Obviously, any couple that contemplates
intermarriage. But more important, I believe, Jewish parents who have
children or grandchildren of marriageable age ought to take the time to
read this remarkable book as an investment in guiding their own family.
We sincerely hope and pray that with proper education the scourge
of intermarriage will become a thing of the past, and thank Reuven Bibi
for this thoughtful and moving book.
.gif){kind=spacer}
Comment 
E-mail 
Print 
digg 
save to del.icio.us
.gif){kind=spacer}
