Funny, You Don´t Look Like a Rabbi by Rabbi Lynnda Targan

At 50, Lynnda Targan was accomplished PR professional with an intense and busy family life. Not necessarily an observant Jew - in the ´orthodox´ sense of the word - but with a strong Jewish identity. Somehow though, she was feeling she needs and she can do a bit more; both inspire and get inspired herself.

Hence, her search for a new personal and in the end, professional too, pathway: she started to study about Judaism and eventually ended up receiving the smicha - the rabbinic ordination. A trajectory that was not lacking stumbling block, particularly as a woman, and especially as a woman looking for a position of prestige and ultimately, power. 

Her memoir of ´Unorthodox Transformation´ - Funny, You Don´t Look Like a Rabbi is an account of her pursuing and eventually achieving her midlife professional and personal dream. Her insights are very useful for anyone trying to follow a similar pathway but also share a personal story facing the complexities of the contemporary life. With resilience and motivation, even the difficulties of the Hebrew language can be conquered. 

I´ve found the memoir honest, personal and direct. It explains her personal Jewish perspective as well as her lessons learned. At the same time, this book offers some good insights regarding the take of non-Orthodox denominations on a various daily Jewish practices and interpretations and I am definitely curious to learn out more about the diversity within the Jewish diverse practices.

The Hidden Hand by Warren Kinsella

Jewish life after October 7th is sometimes unbearable. Israeli - no matter the age - abroad are literally hunted by rabid individuals accusing them of atrocities; Jewish institutions and events are guarded to teeth; visible Jewish symbols may turn you into a clear victim of verbal and physical aggressivity. Some people may believe in some misinterpreted ´social justice´. But the overwhelming majority is following, as Warren Kinsella remarks in his latest book The Hidden Hand, a seasoned agenda meticulously prepared by states and terrorist organisations with a clear agenda. 

Kinsella, who is not Jewish, analyses the details of the violent communication and public strategies implemented shortly after October 7th leave no doubt about the high level of planning of the operations per se, probably years in advance. The level of mediatic planning and protest strategies with well chosen actors and generous financing, explained in the book with examples, sets the reasons for the overwhelming propaganda war happening in the last three years.

Most of the things exposed in The Hidden Hand are clear and no secret for anyone carefully observing the media messaging and the structure of mass protests all over the world - just visit the regular ´Pro Palestinian´ protest in your nearest town few times and the patterns are obvious as well as the role distribution and the logistics. 

The questions I was left with at the end of the book - even after reading some lines of actions that may lay the ground for a possible challenge of the current situation were: It is too late to change something? Are we condamned to remain in the self-righteous bubble knowing the truth, but nevertheless unable to change anything while helplessly noticing how everything is just getting worse for the Jews - no matter where?

It is hard to be optimistic after the toxic roller coaster of the last three years. Democracies should be taken responsible for guaranteeing the safety of their citizens, no matter the religion. Media should  be reminded of its obligations to inform, and sanctioned when turns into activism. Facts needs to be explained and published smartly using the many social media tools available. 

It is no time to give up.