To Be An Israeli

All My Love, Detrick #4

by Roberta Kagan

Israel thrives as a nation but has enemies on every side. And now, every Israeli must answer the call to defend their nascent country as the Six-Day War breaks out.

When Mendel gets drafted to war, Katja battles the fear of losing him with Zofia by her side. Mendel fights a war on two fronts: on the battlefield against the irate Arabs and in his tormented mind.

Elan gladly charges into battle to avoid the one raging in his home.

As they each face their challenges, they know that they must make sacrifices to avoid a repeat of the horrors of the past.

To Be An Israeli is the fourth book in Roberta Kagan's unputdownable WW2 historical fiction series, All My Love Detrick.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Fiction, War, Amazon, Ebooks

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2016

About the author

I’m an American writer of Jewish and Romany decent. I write Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, most of which is set during the holocaust. Although I never discount the horrors of the time period, the main focus of my work is on ordinary people who prove to be strong heroic characters in unfathomable circumstances.

Facebook Author page:
http://www.facebook.com/Rkagan4

Facebook Book Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/14942...

Instagram:
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Reviews

[Gary]

To Be An Israeli is one of the most moving and inspiring novels I have read about Israel and its people. More than anything else, it reinforced my belief that Israelis are among the warmest, strongest, and most life-affirming people on earth.

Through the lives of its characters, Roberta Kagan paints a vivid picture of a society that has been forced to endure war, loss, terrorism, and constant uncertainty, yet refuses to surrender its humanity or its hope. The people in this novel do not merely survive hardship—they build families, create communities, celebrate life, and continue looking toward the future with remarkable determination.

What struck me most was the resilience of the characters. Faced with challenges that would break many people, they display courage, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to one another. The novel captures the unique spirit of a people who understand suffering yet choose life, love, and perseverance over despair.

In an age when so much misinformation and propaganda shapes perceptions of Israel, To Be An Israeli offers something far more valuable: a deeply human portrait of ordinary people living extraordinary lives. It reminds readers that behind the headlines are men and women who love their families, cherish their country, and make immense sacrifices to protect both.

This book strengthened my admiration for Israelis and for the society they have built against incredible odds. It is a powerful, emotional, and uplifting story that celebrates resilience, courage, and the triumph of the human spirit. I finished it with an even greater appreciation for what it means to be Israeli and with profound respect for the people whose stories inspired this novel.

[Robin Watson]

This story was so interesting to me. The possessiveness of some of the people to their nation...the lengths they would go to in order to protect their nation. Yet some are fanatics! Then their are the people who just want to live, in peace, to live as their God instructed them to live. Such a hard life...and through it all...love. Yes, always a love story of love, loss, new knowledge of who someone is. A very good book. I haven't read the stories that come before, or after. But this book was good enough that I want to read them ALL!

"To Be An Israeli (All My Love, Dietrich series #4)" by Robert Kagan.

[Linda]

I've read all four books in this series....in order. I remember loving the first, but can't remember the other two as much. But I loved this one. Historical romance fiction with a lot of non-fiction facts. There was enough back story to remind me of the previous books events. Looking forward to reading the last book in the series.

[LINDA HAWKINS]

Enjoyed the other books of this series so much more than this one!

[Captain Dady Mody]

To me, a good book should be interesting in the beginning, have a captivating story in the middle & a strong but plausible ending to finish with.

The book began well, held my attention in the middle, but fizzled out to a 'to be continued' ending.

I regret but for serials, I would rather read the Newspaper comic strips, that keep you under suspense only until the next day.

An interesting story, if only it did not leave one 'up in the air' for an ending.

Captain Dady J. Mody

[Diane Ewing]

survival in Israel

Interesting story of the people who gathered to become the country of Israel. The histories of the first families are told, those Jews her survived the camps in Germany and Poland. And the stories of the military events as the Israelites fought to keep the land, Israel.
The history and the personalities of the main characters make compelling stories. Enjoy your reading.

[Meinwen]

Gave up on this book. Where was book going????

[Gini Elliott]

For some reason, this is the first book in this series that I have read! Guess I’ll need to read the others as well. Fairly good character creation and a good story, although some of the relationships were to unreal (boy meets girl and quickly they fall in love). I enjoyed that she included many historical events with the story. It is interesting to read about things that were going on at the time when Janice returned to the USA, black panthers, riots, Vietnam war, etc. Being raised at that time I could relate to it. It also feels very similar to what is going on in the USA now with black lives matter, and rioting, etc. Although I believe that we have come a long way in racial injustices since then. It’s a good reminder that we need to continue to teach history and remember our past mistakes as well as our accomplishments and learn from them. At the time of this story, it showed the stark difference in the attitudes of the people; USA was fighting against going to war (another political discussion for another time) and the Israel was ready to fight for their freedoms. All in all, a good read. Enjoyable.

[Eva]

I like the story and like that dialogues have improved. What I don't like is that the same things are repeated many many times over (plus if you've read the other books in the stories you already knew). Then there are the historic mistakes. Writing about facts but giving completely incorrect dates? 1972 Olympics in Munich - in October? (Summer Olympics! October should raise some warning bells...) Then there are other inconsistencies in story line. 'She just got her driving licence so she got a car.' Then a few pages later, flashback to years ago, when the same person just jumped into her car and drove home to the kibutz... Most characters sometimes just appear silly and/or shallow. So much focused on looks and material things and then 'sure you are a good person too'. And the last one: there is no real character development, character jumps more like or stagnation / degradation. But apart from that entertaining enough for a long flight.

[Rita Hochstedler]

I gave this book a low rating even though I appreciated the historical references and information. The Author kept repeating the same background information throughout the book - even after the reader could understand what was going on from the past books in the series. Seemed like "filler" material to me. I just started the final book in the series just to better educate myself on the history of Isreal and the Jewish people.
I also felt the main character (as were most of the others) - Katja - was overly and unreasonably emotional. I literally kept rolling my eyes every time sometime disruptive or tragic in her life happened. It was amazing she could cope at all!

[Tocci]

Inconclusive

This long convoluted tale of the trials and tribulations of several characters offers interesting glimpses into early Israel. The writing is clear and down to earth, and the characters all improve through their hardships. The never ending tale appears to me as a ploy to the next book.

[Rupin Chaudhry]

And the forbidden love continues across generations. Cheesy, melodramatic yet intense and being set in the backdrop of chilling moments in the history of Israel makes it a gripping read.

Roberta Kagan has proved her mettle as a master story teller by presenting a perfect blend of history-romance-tragedy-trials-triumphs in a story spanning three generations (and five books).

[peter david mitchell]

Intertwining relationships.

Secrets are revealed with life changing results. The fluctuating lives of Katya, Ima, Elan, Janice, Mendel and Zofia are covered in convincing, emotional and dramatic prose. An easy five stars as usual for this author whose every book is outstandingly memorable. Looking forward to the last book in this series.

[Christine Cazeneuve]

Really Enjoyed

Back on track! What I really liked about this book was it went beyond WWII and focused on the struggles of Israel. It also branches out to the USA and the Vietnam War. This is truly different than her other stories. There are alot of characters and sometimes it got a bit confusing. Looking forward to the final book.

[Lisa Barbour]

I couldn't take it anymore, I gave up. I did not care about the characters, I did not care about the story, I thought it was poorly written and I realize I am in the minority after reading other reviews.

[René]

Excellent but one glaring error

I understand this is fiction but I was disappointed that she changed the events of the Munich Olympics. It would not have affected the book at all if she had played out the events as they really happened instead of saying a plane exploded.

[Deleen]

I have been binge reading this series and really enjoyed it. However, book #4 ended so abruptly that it left me very disappointed. I do, however, intend to read the fifth and final book in series. I’m hoping for a much more satisfying ending.

[Mary Sue Wilson]

Enjoyed

This series of books has been a joy to read. This one continues to follow the characters as they continue living in Israel. Ima disappears, is kidnapped, raped and beaten. Her life falls apart. I recommend this well written novel.

[Elizabeth]

Really good

It was a continuation of the first book. I'm glad I found these books on kindle unlimited. These stories tell of a different time in the world. It is good o learn so we won't allow this o happen again.

[Lily Bernhardt-de deus]

As always, in Roberta Kagans All my Love, Detrick no. 3 To Be An Israeli, kept me reading and reading not wanting it to be finished but having a hard time putting it down. I am off on #4 on this séries and back to the family’s I became to know. Brava

[Barbara]

Good!!

Just finished this book very good. Will start the fifth in this series. Looking forward to her next series. Goodnight.

[Sara Downard]

I love this series!

Thankyou Roberta for another gripping historical fiction novel. We must never forget. I like how this series grows from generation to generation

[Alexandra]

Wonderful third book

This series of books is so engaging. The story of serveral people being followed through different stages of life and death

[Jean H.]

to be an Israeli

Wonderful story and enjoyed all the characters, their problems and how the story intertwine. Thank you and look forward to more stories like this one

[Alyson Lucille]

Audiobook- overall enjoyed this but preferred others in the series. But this one did have some real action scenes which felt different for Roberta…aerial fighting and a hostage situation!!

[Elizabeth Williams-Burris]

I enjoyed the entire series.

I enjoy read Roberta Kegans books. The plots do get a bit repetitive but each series has a good storyline. Quick easy read.

[Beth]

The third generation

The central love stories seem slightly contrived. How much trauma can one family take? This is my least favorite of the series so far.

[RONI LEVIN GOLDSTEIN]

great

Just finished book 4 / can’t wait to begin book 5 now. So loving these page turning series. Thank you !

[Pam]

To Be An Israeli is the fourth book in the All My Love, Detrick series by Roberta Kagan. This novel is set in Israel beginning in 1964. Some of the characters are from her previous books and some are new characters. All are well-developed and realistic.
Katja Zuckerman was surviving the knowledge that she was the daughter of a German lady and a Nazi SS officer and the adopted daughter of the notorious work leader of Treblinka, Manfred Blau and his wife. Her parents Zofia and Isaac Zuckerman had taken her at the request of Blau’s wife and brought her up as their own. Now she knew the truth and it had cost her her engagement to Elan Amsel who ironically punished her for her “bad blood”. It has taken a long time for her childhood friend Mendel to get her through this and to make her realize he loved her and she loved him. Now she was to marry Mendel. She hoped it was the right decision.
Elan Amsel could not bend his standards even for Katja. He couldn’t turn off his love for her; but he could deny himself marriage to her. He went home and took over his Father’s position in the vegetable market and caring for his mother. It was at the market that he met Janice Lichenstein, and American Jewess. They fell quickly in love and married in America against the advice of her parents. Although he was older than she was, he was still not ready for marriage; but he tried. However, when the Six Day War broke out in Israel and the IDF came to get him to go fight, he immediately went despite Janice’s begging him to stay. If he went, she told him, she would go home to America and it would be over. Without a second thought, he chose Israel as he had told her many times that he would. She just didn’t understand.
The book continues the story of Katja’s family, Zofia, and Elan’s family as they struggle to make it as Israelis.

[Samantha]

Amazing Read it 9am to midnight

I can't get enough of this series...
It keeps getting better, anything I write will never be able to explain how much I love this series. Kagan has a,way of telling history through characters you learn to love, you can feel there pain. This book in many ways relates to the World we live in today, it's not just based about the Holocaust but Israel. It's moving and very well written as all Roberta Kagan books are. I cannot wait for the next one to come out, it just keeps getting better. You won't be disappointed so buy all books in this series they are amazing.

This one in the series takes place after the Holocaust, tells a story of the war and the fight Jewish people faced still. It's amazing how you will learn facts in a way that you feel like you lived it, her writing is like poetry moving and inspirational