Walking with the Light: From Frankfurt to Finchley by Jonathan Wittenberg (27-Feb-2013) Hardcover

by Jonathan Wittenberg

In 2010, with his dog Mitzpah by his side, Rabbi Wittenberg walked from his grandfather's Frankfurt synagogue to his own, in Finchley, carrying the Ner Tamid - its Eternal Light - to co-shine forever in the newly built synagogue in North London. A film crew covered most of the trip and even Mitzpah wrote a blog, describing his experiences on the epic journey. Colleagues and friends accompanied them for some of the route and their discussions also contributed insights into the spiritual, social and political concerns that occupied the Rabbi's thoughts as he continued to meet many people along the way. Readers of Jonathan Wittenberg's other books already know the humane, insightful and often profound observations and thoughts that preoccupy him. Walking with the From Frankfurt to Finchley will both delight and stimulate a whole new audience. Few religious writers can combine the humour and incidence of walking across northern Europe with cogent arguments for moral justice, a process perhaps to accept Europe's horrific past and show why a belief that tolerance and true understanding of the past is the only way to improve the future.

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Noemie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and meaningful journey through Germany, past and present. I particularly enjoyed Rabbi Wittenberg's brilliant reflections on the question of one's multiple identities (what does it mean to be both Jewish and German) and his own complex relationship to Germany and German culture, so dear to his family. The way he describes his relationship with his dog, Mitzpah, is so beautiful, it made me tear up. Rabbi Wittenberg also peppers his story with many interesting interpretations of Jewish texts. There are some lengthy passages but overall I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to people interested in history and memory.

[Alex Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Wittenberg, like his father and grandfather before him, is a rabbi. And this remarkable book follows his moving journey by foot with his loyal canine, Mitzpah to carry the Eternal Flame (the symbolic flame that hangs above the ark in all synagogues to represent the Almighty's eternal presence) from his grandfather's synagogue in Frankfurt to his newly built synagogue in Finchley, North London.

While the book is remarkably broad in its outlook, reflecting Rabbi Wittenberg's ruminations on German culture, literature, philosophy and history, it inevitably focuses on the Holocaust. His numerous encounters enroute with individuals from every possible background are genuinely fascinating and often very moving. His time with the family of Adam von Trott who played a central role in the plot to assassinate Hitler and ultimately paid with his life, is just one such encounter. Particularly touching are the accounts of those who endeavoured to save Jewish children from the clutches of the the Third Reich and the trauma suffered by many of these children in later life.

Such harrowing material might of course put many potential readers off from the outset. But this isn't a gloomy book in the least. If anything it is life affirming, as its focus lies primarily on the goodness of the human soul - even at times of utter despair. Indeed, Rabbi Wittenberg writes eloquently and not without wit. There is even a lighthearted blog from Mitzpah, his faithful hound.

This is a compelling read from page one and will come to occupy an important place in the canon of literature covering one of the darkest periods of human history.

Alex Pearl, author of 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'(