There Is Nothing So Whole as a Broken Heart: Mending the World as Jewish Anarchists

by Cindy Barukh Milstein (Editor)

Through stories at once poetic and poignant, There Is Nothing So Whole as a Broken Heart offers a powerful elixir for all who rebel against systemic violence and injustice. The contemporary renewal of Jewish anarchism draws on a history of antisemitism, enslavement, displacement, white supremacy, and genocide as well as ancestral resistance, strength, imagination, and humor--all qualities, and wisdom, sorely needed today. These essays, many written from feministic and queer perspectives, journey into ancestral and contemporary trauma in ways that are humanizing and healing. They build bridges from bittersweet grief to rebellion and joy. Through concrete illustrations of how Jewish anarchists imaginatively create their own ritual, cultural, and political practices, they clearly illuminate the path toward mending ourselves and the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Jewish, Judaism, Politics, Religion, Essays, Poetry

392 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Cindy Barukh Milstein is a diasporic queer Jewish anarchist and longtime organizer. They've been writing on anarchism for over two decades, and are the author of Anarchism and Its Aspirations and Try Anarchism for Life: The Beauty of Our Circle. They edited the anthologies Rebellious Mourning: The Collective Work of Grief and Deciding for Ourselves: The Promise of Direct Democracy, among others.

Reviews

[Sleepless Dreamer · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the Israeli political crisis continues (but maybe will end in the next 3 days!), many of us are asking questions about parliamentary democracy. Clearly, it's not working here. And maybe this is an opportunity to look deep into our society and consider what fits us best. I was excited to read this book to gain some insight on how different power sharing systems work with Judaism, both in theory and in practice.

Unfortunately, this is mostly a book of essays from North American Jews. Rather than digging deep in Jewish and anarchist theory, they tell stories of their lives organizing various communities across the continent.

I found this book disappointing on several fronts.

First of, I'm not a fan of leftist Jewish Americans. This might be a bit of an overstatement but I find much of the rhetoric empty. It feels performative. This desperation to be the "good guys", to be those who "fix the world", it's bound to lead to self-righteous perceptions and an inability to handle complicated questions. Really, every single activist should take a course in Public Policy because dear lord, things are not as simple as "let's help people".

This marriage between Judaism and left-wing identity politics is merely one way to be Jewish. They do not speak for all of us and it is frustrating that they present themselves as if they do. Be progressive, be woke, be anti-fascism but don't force the religion into something that it is not, stop quoting camp songs as if that's halacha. This is my criticism for everyone who feels the need to insert their religion into politics (coughs, Religious Zionism, I assure you all, God doesn't care about gay marriage).

Ashkenormativity is also a strong and unpleasant element here. Ghettos, shetls, Yiddish, Poland, this is such a tiny factor of what Judaism is. In their attempts to escape association to Israel, they end up creating a very Ashkenazi oriented Judaism. It's fascinating because give Israel 30 more years and we're gonna be done with the Ashkenazi and Mizrahi divide. We're on our way to creating a form of inclusive Judaism while these American Jews are keeping this weird segregation alive, as if Judaism comes from Germany, as if our language was ever only Yiddish.

Now, much of this book is dedicated to Israel. It's, quite frankly, embarrassing. There are so many important issues in the US and Canada, especially for Jewish anarchists but these people feel like opposing Israel's existence is high on the priority list.

And it's like they don't know how Zionism and anarchism have a long history, that early Zionists were shaped by Kropotkin. Joseph Trumbeldor called himself an anarchist. Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag as well. Socialists ruled in Israel until 1977 (RIP Mapai). We had free healthcare literally before we had independence (first free healthcare- 1911).

Their opposition to Israel is ironic, especially with the language they use. They speak of resistance, of fighting oppression, of minorities standing up and yet, when all of this happens for Jews, suddenly it's fascism? They speak of land prior to the establishment of Canada and the US yet somehow don't recognize that the same logic is what created Zionism: the desire to go back to your historical and cultural roots. That yes, every minority group should be able to self-govern in their land. The problem isn't that Jews have self-determination. It's that Palestinians don't. Zionism isn't the exclusion of those Palestinian rights.

And it tastes of privilege. Sitting in Canada and preaching about how Zionism is oppressive, when modern day Israelis have nowhere else to go to now. Unable to write a full sentence in Hebrew or Arabic but informing Israelis and Palestinians what to do. This insistence that you know better than people actually living here. Go to pro-Palestinian solidarity events but you're not changing anything on the ground until you start engaging Israelis as well, until you see Israelis as your fellow Jews, equally worthy of dialogue and consideration.

The pro-Diaspora perspective is in some ways also very very privileged. I recognize that this is a response to Zionism's disdain for the Diaspora. Historically, Israel looked down on those who stayed in the Diaspora and so it makes sense that it would frustrate people. However, talking about how Judaism is meant to be diasporic is a slap in the face of every Jew in Israel who came here after being kicked out of their diasporic homes. Jews of Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and more make up the majority of Israelis. Ashkenazim who ran away from Europe as refugees also don't have diasporic roots anymore. Israelis largely do not have a diaspora to return to so suggesting Judaism belongs in the diaspora leaves us a little lost. Maybe you don't need or want Israel but some of us very much do.

Now, putting aside Israel, ideologically, I also struggle with some of the ideas here. Throughout the book, they refer to North America as occupied land. This, of course, is usual American leftist rhetoric but I do not understand how this lines up with anarchist thought. Anarchism isn't about returning to a pre-colonial time. It's about recognizing that land can't belong to a people. It belongs to everyone. An anarchist vision of decolonization would be to dismantle the state and simply let land be. If property is theft, why is landownership different? Why assume that land inherently and forever belongs to Native people?

Ultimately, countries are imperfect. And the way to fix it is by facing it, by recognizing the systematic flaws of countries and trying to change them. Anarchist principles can serve as guidelines but it needs to be more based and well-reasoned than "our resistance is strong". This form of activism just strikes me as very disengaged politically.

Simply put, this book just isn't it. Anarchism isn't "let's get rid of Israel". Anarchism, within Israel/ Palestine, could look like autonomy for various areas. It could look like municipalities replacing the state, slowly dismantling the centrist government that clearly is unable to make decisions together. It could look like a broader Middle East without dictators, going back to a clan system, dismantling the borders.

If you want to read a collection of North Americans patting themselves on the back for being so woke, this is the book for you. For actual Jewish anarchy, I recommend reading Martin Buber, who didn't like being called an anarchist but basically is one.

Meanwhile, I'm going to take a moment to appreciate that Israelis and Palestinians are not nearly as obnoxious as these people. Like wow, this level of self-righteousness simply doesn't exist here. I've never met any Israeli or Palestinian who perceives the world like this.

What I'm Taking With Me

- Some elements of Israel's revival of Jewish culture are just incredible. For example, today I learned that there's an actual committee that works on creating academic political science words in Hebrew. Imagine how wonderful it would be if each at risk language could have this, I genuinely wish for every dying language to have the ability to rise from the dead like Hebrew and be able to stay contemporary (and now I know the Hebrew for whistleblower!).

- I spent like an hour arguing why Neturei Karta are being tokenized without people knowing who they are (hint: they believe the messiah will come and dismantle Palestine, they're just against secular Jews creating Israel before the messiah and yet, pro-Palestinian post pictures of them like "the true Jews support Palestine!!!") so basically, a lot of this day has been spent complaining about radical Jews, why are we like this?

- The cherrypicking of Judaism is so annoying, like guys, have you ever read Joshua? We need to speak up for Palestinian rights but it can't come instead of our own heritage in this land. "Palestinians deserve to live equally to Israelis" and "Jews have a connection to the land as Eretz Israel has always been important" can and do coexist.

- I started reading about how some of the Ethiopian Jews made it to Israel for the memorial day a few weeks ago and it's just insane. They literally walked across Sudan. 4,000 people died. The world record for most people on a flight was broken, with over 1,000 Ethiopian Jews (and there were several births during that flight). Over 10,000 people immigrated in 36 hours. I don't understand how someone can hear about this and still go, "meh, I don't need Israel so no one needs Israel, free Palestine".

- "We will outlive them" still feels like one of the most empowering Jewish sentences.

- I'll conclude with the only Yiddish that I know:
וויי איז מיר וא דאנק

-----------------
I started my Shabbat 10 minutes too late and ended it two hours too late, am I a true Jewish anarchist now? Review to come!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purposefully read this book as slow as I could because I wanted it to last. It took only a couple weeks, but I feel like a new person. Some of the pieces in this book are essays, some are fiction, some are poems, and some are in the middle; all are amazing. Everyone should read this book, but especially if you identify as both Jewish and anarchist.

[Corvus · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is Nothing So Whole as a Broken Heart: Mending the World as Jewish Anarchists is a book I have looked forward to since first hearing about its existence. (I will refer to the book as TNSWBH going forward for brevity's sake.) I did not realize at the time that a large chunk of the contributions in this book would either be from my city- Pittsburgh- or take place in it. Due to the atrocity that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue, I knew that it would undoubtedly be referenced, but that is only a small part of a much longer culture of Jewish anarchist community and resistance in Pittsburgh. I felt excited very early on to learn about all of the different Jewish organizing, art, creativity, and so on in the area that I had not known about before- and the book did not disappoint. I did have a little bit of anxiety. Of course, when reading and reviewing a book with contributors that I know personally and many others I have one degree of separation from, I want to give it a good review. I also do my best to be honest, so I really hoped it would live up to my expectations. It did and then some.

I have thoroughly enjoyed everything written and edited by Cindy Milstein that I have had the pleasure to read. This book is yet another installment in their catalogue that is all around well edited and composed. I can honestly say I liked every entry in this and that is very rare for an anthology. TNSWBH is a diverse collection of nonfiction essays, folktales and mythology, and artworks from anarchist Jews in various locations. The graphic design of the book is lovely from cover to cover. The artwork inside is fantastic- I wanted to cover my walls with everything I
saw in this book. I mentioned Pittsburgh already and I would say most of the essays actually come from people who lived there, formerly lived there, or who had done organizing there. This does limit the population and perspective of the book somewhat, but there are international contributions as well including that from other continents.

I have been an atheist* since my early teens and was not raised with any more religion than a couple family members who mentioned they prayed to (Christian, I assume,) God. As a result, much of my education about different religions- outside of being told I was going to hell by far right Christians- has come later in life. Since Jewish religion is only part of the diverse and widespread Jewish heritage and culture throughout the world, I am even more ignorant of that than I am of Christian and religion-adjacent cultures. As a result, I am coming at a book like this with great wonder. I really appreciate how many of the entries included footnotes and descriptions for people like me to be able to understand and fully appreciate the words and content therein. This makes the book able to be appreciated by non-Jews while also, I assume, still giving Jews the ability to be centered. I learned a lot about various Jewish culture and history and how anarchist, radical, LGBTQ, Jews have made these things their own. I learned a lot about the struggles people have balancing oppression with privilege or finding their way in places that may lack understanding and acceptance. I learned a lot about the myriad of ways anarchist Jews have come together around celebration, tragedy, and everything in between to create community and effective organizing practices to heal themselves and the world.

This book is delightfully Queer and that of course adds to the joy in reading the entries and viewing the artwork. The combination of Queer solidarity and Jewish community is a powerhouse of liberation. There was so much I didn't know about the history of Jewish anti-fascist resistance organized by Jewish women and other LGBTQ people. The book is also, unsurprisingly anti-Israeli-zionism and pro-Palestinian liberation, adding a chorus of voices to the conversation that is often dominated by right wing, zionist Jews. There are stories of dealing with anti-semitism across the board in everywhere from far right white supremacist attacks to your friendly neighborhood anti-semitic anarchist dude. I am so happy that the people in this book found each other because I cannot imagine going through any of these things alone. And that is another thing I learned: the power of radical left Jewish community is grand. At every atrocity, you can bet that there are likely anarchist and other far left Jewish organizers fighting for healing and liberation.

I would definitely put this book in the required reading category for pretty much all audiences. It was a gift to read.

This was also posted to my blog.

*I don't know if this is relevant, but just in case: I am not the kind of atheist that spends time in faux-intellectual debates about the existence of God(s) nor do I think religion is inherently bad or good. I find that to be a waste of time at best and highly oppressive or genocidal at worst. I think religion serves a great purpose for many people and scenarios and basically have a, "as long as your version of it isn't oppressive and calling for my and others' extermination, I am cool with it and want to learn more," sorta approach.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book before that came from my own identity. I took so much comfort in that alone and would strongly recommend it as an experience for anyone and everyone (religious & non religious). Reading something from your own voice means not having to choose between parts of yourself - It’s easy to feel isolated in spaces where only one identity is actualized, and I am so appreciative of the creation of a space where all can be true and all can be interwoven. In shul with my family where I can’t be queer, in progressive spaces where anti-Semitism goes unnoticed, this book will be my companion.

The vast majority of these short stories ask questions we are all struggling with - how do we continue to fight fascism - both the fascism directed at us and that of the Israeli state? How do we do that and survive? Unconditional supporters of the Israeli state have the loudest voice in our community, but they are not the only voice. I am reminded that we inherit a long tradition of outliving fascists and their institutions. Knowing all these authors are out there - enacting tikkun Olam, Revolution, doykeit, solidarity- and embedding them into movements - makes my heart sing. I hope this brings comfort to someone else :)

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just astounded at how much I loved this book. It is full of radical contemporary Jewish communities, art, organizing, and the like, so reading it felt like a discovery. I hope this is the beginning of a Jewish Anarchist renaissance.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad these voices are here, and have a medium to be shared in the Jewish world. That said, why is this a book? What is its purpose? It's clearly not meant as a historical sourcebook, or as a narrative to be read sequentially chapter by chapter. I found it as a nice seasonal diversion during the Yomim Nora'im (Days of Awe), read between breaks in prayer and services.

It's a collection of personal essays, historical fiction, folk art, and occasional analysis, not clearly defined by genre. Overwhelmingly, the essays follow a formula of "How I dealt with the Pittsburgh (Tree of Life Synagogue) shooting." Not surprisingly, the authors mostly from Northeastern North America, with a few from Seattle and One from Atlanta thrown in. Cindy Milstein is great. She's a good writer, but this project came across as a series of 'zine pieces hastily duct-taped together, then put in a respectable font.

That said, it's worth a read for several reasons. It gives a glimpse to the tone of contemporary Jewish though which has not been included in media like "The Forward," of your regional Jewish Paper. The criticque of "Tikkun Olam" from a Lib-Left perspective was quite refreshing, as I've old heard criticisms of it from the NeoCon set as of yet. The woodcuts and art are interesting and beautiful, and the anotated Music playlist looks like lots of fun.

[Blue Reinhard · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really appreciated how this book synthesized anarchist jewish perspectives very accessibly by offering explanations and translations for every hebrew, yiddish or otherwise culturally specific phrase used. many of the essays taught me new things or referred me to amazing new books, podcasts, art, and ways of thinking. i was especially moved by the depictions of jewish ritual used for general community organizing as well as for direct action. however, i wish that the essays were less redundant- i wish the editor had edited down some of these essays to ensure they didn’t over explain the same events and ideas. i loved the essays that were written experimentally and wish that there were more essays included that played with prose in a non traditional way. but overall im SO glad that this book exists and i will be recommending it to exactly one million people!!!!!!!

[Hanna Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is no talk of an afterlife in Judaism; the focus is on what you do while you’re alive. This is a distinctly anarchism idea, too. We want to live our best and fullest dreams as well as desires now, not after some long-foretold coming or in a promised paradise after death. The anarchist movement has always been full of people trying to live without authority in their relations to others now, in the present, even when the whole of society tells us we can’t. We take action directly to accomplish our goals, uninterested in appealing to those in power or their representatives”

[Lily Weissgold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this were compelling and lovely, parts were bad fiction/first person narrative. 3.5

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read about half of this 377-page book, a collection of 34 essays and stories plus an assortment of b&w art & commentary on it in the middle. It felt repetitive because so many of the stories covered the same ground, in short bursts where the author was giving a synopsis of how they started off as Jewish/anarchist/queer and then felt at home with returning to being queer/Jewish/anarchist or finding community, etc. - Not all of the pieces; some were stories set in the Old Country, or new immigrants, or very specific descriptions of life incidents and how the author's Judaic practice, anarchist motivations, and queer identity intertwine.

Very few of the pieces I read spoke to me - several of them could have taken multiple pages to establish the setting and point of view rather than the few superficial paragraphs we were given, so I felt myself trying to "place" the narrator, and having to rely on people in my life, acquaintances, or stereotypes of people I haven't met - the assortment was wide and my familiarity with their positions was uneven.

Although the advertising copy says this will be "a powerful elixir for all who rebel against systemic violence and injustice", I do not think "all" is correct. It could very well be a powerful elixir for some queer people born into or raised in a Jewish family in North America, but as a person who is very closely adjacent to that group - I'm not queer - most of the pieces didn't translate well to my life; I got bored, irritated, or confused.

However, the piece I enjoyed the most was "Lost and Found" by Leigh Hoffman, a "Jewish punk, ployamorous nursing student, community building, and socialist living in Tiohtia:ke (Montreal, Canada). They are passionate about youths, tacking structural power that impedes access to health (services), lovingly calling out bullshit, and giving people a fucking break."...but I think that's because it had the song Tumbalalaika in it. Even though my personal experience is quite different from theirs, it sounded like the way I think.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays, poems, stories, and art, expertly edited by Cindy Milstein, is a remarkable contribution to anarchist thinking and, for me, results in a better understanding anti-semitism in relation to Israel. I have, over the course of my life, clung to the notion that the existence of the State of Israel is crucial for the Jewish people. These Jewish authors, all committed anarchists, express their experiences of anti-semitism, their embracing, in various ways, of their Jewish faith and traditions, while holding fast to a belief that any State, including that of Israel, is an anathema to true freedom and equality for all people. This belief is articulated in many compelling ways by the variety of authors contributing to this book. I still worry about what the end of the Jewish State of Israel could bring for Jews in Israel-Palestine and around the world, but I am more hopeful for a Two State solution, in the short-term at least, and in the struggle for the anarchist vision(s) of a better world in the long term.

[Geneviève Joëlle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shkoyeh!

[Lily Cott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written pre-pandemic and published in 2021, this book is as relevant as ever in the summer of 2024 amid the atrocities being committed in Gaza and rising antisemitism on both the left and right, making my relationship with my Jewish identity complicated and so misunderstood. I suppose that is only proving so many of the points throughout the essays in this book about repeated (but always survived) history over 6000+ years. If you are a queer/trans, progressive or far-left, anti-Zionist Jew that feels lonely in your mind and in your local communities, this anthology of essays is here to bring us together. The sheer number of contributors and the fact that the contributors came from around the world gives me so much hope, and the essays themselves were beautiful, flowing into one another like water. There were maybe 1-2 essays that took me out of the dreamy trance this book created, but it was still refreshing to see the diversity in thought amongst people who would be considered my comrades, reminding myself and readers that Jews aren’t and have never been a monolith. Absolutely beautiful book and was much needed to restore my faith in my identity and community during such a hard time. I am grateful to all who worked on this book.

[Craig Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy Milstein has an incredible capacity to compile edited anthologies that are meaningful, grounded in radical struggle, and filled with care/emotion/love. Cindy's work continues to be at the forefront of the resurgence of small 'a' anarchist literature that is rooted not simply in claiming anarchism as an identity or abstract theory but of living anti-authoritarian practices that are based in mutual aid, solidarity, decolonization, and love.

In this volume, the contributors also show how important the reclamation of faith and Jewish cultural identity is in the upsurge in fascist and anti-semitism in North America and the continue violence of the Israeli apartheid state. Filled with history, stories, art, queerness, and vital pieces of wisdom this book filled me with the kind of hope that I've come to expect from compilations brought together by Milstein (I especially loved Rebellious Mourning).

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, rounded down. some of the works in this collection really struck me--particularly moira leibowitz's "dialectics of mourning, dialectics of bricks" and rosza daniel lang/levitsky's "'spilling out juice and brightness'"—particularly for their having been written, seemingly, from precisely my perspective. but many of the creators included in this collection seemed to be working from a definition of judaism that excludes converts and those who are not ashkenazim—by (implicitly) assuming, for example, that all currently anarchist jews have family who died in the shoah, or who fled pogroms. also, none of the works in this collection seemed to have been written by converts to judaism—only ethnic jews! which makes the supposed "anarchist" ethos of the anthology feel rather disingenuous to me ("no gods, no masters", etc.)

[Hannah Bergstrom de Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book little by little over the last few months, usually an essay at a time. It became a nighttime ritual because as a white, judeo-christian, hetero-cis woman so much of what is shared and offered in these essays was utterly new for me...sadly. This has been a deep and beautiful dive into the activity, minds, hearts and spirits of the Jewish Anarchist movement over time and space and it has been an honor to share the words and wisdom offered in these pages.

Obviously, I did not understand it all, much was required as it should be, but I have come away with a curtain pulled back on the Jewish experience in north america and I am grateful to those who shared their truth and vulnerability within this compilation and offered so many access to this journey.

[Carol Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still cannot believe I bought this and finished it. I first encountered this book in the city lights bookstore in SF, I probably snapped a picture bc of the title, add it to my read list, and then one random November day I just decided to actually read it.
I will say this is definitely not a systematic analysis of Jewish Anarchism, all of the pieces are deeply personal, and that’s what makes it very unique. I like that how people express their idealism through art, and how they wrote Jewish history into stories, poems and plays, I think this is a great book to learn how to not only sit with but also live through your identity. It’s also very therapeutic in a way I didn’t expect.
And why have no one told me that Montreal has the best bagel before??!

[Tristan Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and powerful. I especially like the essays "We Are the Golems They Fear" and "Ghosts of Lublin."

As a settler living on stolen land, whose ancestors came to Canada to escape religious prosecution, I felt a connection with the struggle spoken about in "Ghosts of Lublin."

These essays made me think, gave me hope, and inspired me. In the bookshelf of my mind, I'm placing this one right beside "Braiding Sweetgrass" - books I'll surely return too when the world seems too dark to be worth fighting in.

I especially appreciate the anarchist analysis, and how well the connections are drawn between various struggles.

[Sucre · Rating 4 out of 5]

feel like I learned a decent amount w/ this one. fave essays/shorts stories/etc were 'Last of Elul' by Mikveh Warshaw, '"Spilling Out Juice and Brightness"' by Rosza Daniel Lang/Levitsky, 'Klezmer Playlist For A Revolt Against Fascism' by Aaron Lakoff, and 'Finding Our Own Fire' by the Fayer Collective.

"...this time, we are taking everyone with us. Everyone. For if we should leave anyone to fall into the sea, we too should fall." - Stefanie Brendler, from the essay 'As The Sea Comes Crashing Down'

[Dani Kass · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm not sure i've ever read a book that's made me genuinely considering adding in aspects of cultural and religious ritual into my life, and it's both an extremely uncomfortable and welcoming feeling. i guess what i'm saying is, this book made me feel seen, (to an extent, since i'm not an anarchist but also not not one), and made me question how i want to approach the world. it's just beautiful and good. and hopeful.

[Lila]

There were a few standouts: i appreciated the compelling and well crafted fiction by Eliui Damm “ker a velt” and the essay “spilling out juice and brightness” by rosza daniel lang/levitsky , a piece that would be of much use to many jewish cultural workers and had no time for essentializing bs.
A lot of the essays didn’t especially compel me. Perhaps a little too repetitive of personal story telling about organizing when I was expecting something with a little more rigor? Idk.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

mm okay what /did/ i think
sol <3 like, no, i think the main thing i'm taking away from this collection is the reiteration of the notion that when we gather, alive and well, we are the revolution. in a world that wants us dead, we sing and laugh and eat, we defy systems of power. I think the drag essay was really interesting in the context of my theater class -- might send it to KB. But no, it's beautiful to read about how we come together when living next to WH and BW.

[leo :} · Rating 5 out of 5]

i would give this a million stars if i could. no collection of stories has ever touched me so deeply and meant so much to me. reading about jewish anarchists brings me deep comfort and an overwhelming sense of joy to know that i too can find a community such as this. i’ll have to come back to this review to add more because i’m so emotional over this. much much love for this collection and others like it

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at the wonderful feminist bookstore, Women and Children, in Chicago, while visiting my mother as she was slowly being eaten alive by Alzheimer’s. I deliberately drew out my reading of it, taking time to absorb the stories and art to connect my own thoughts about Judaism, queerness, anarchism, and grief. This was exactly the right book for me at the time I needed it, and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Rivka Yeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of essays written by lefty Jewish “offers a powerful elixir for all who rebel against systemic violence and injustice.” It is intense, poetic, brutal, and I have cried while reading every single one. Reading these essays aloud with a previous Jewish lover was medicinal; it felt like I was healing centuries worth of pain.

[cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This here anthology would've been a GREAT opportunity to discard (or at least ADDRESS) ashkenormativity, and yet that didn't happen. Not even once. Nor was there any coming to terms with the anarchist roots of Zionism and what that means for anti-Zionist Jewish anarchists who are actually *gasp* historically informed.
Still. I'm glad a book such as this is out there. Yasher koach.

[Paula Kirman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jewish anarchists from all walks of life talk about trauma, displacement, white supremacy, antisemitism, and a host of other topics in a quest for social justice. From essays, to poetry, to artwork, the entries as are diverse as the contributors.

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely compilation of essays, manifestos, and art. Particularly gorgeous piece from an (ex?-)Hasidic author. My one complaint is the group seemed small, that the contributors seemed to be a group of friends. Which is wonderful, but I would have enjoyed more breadth.

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

i can’t fault it for not anticipating how the political climate for jews has changed since its publication. truly what i didn’t like was the structure. nothing held it together for me besides every essayist’s gesturing to anarchism

[Nicole Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, there were some really powerful and beautiful pieces in here, but I probably would have gotten more out of it if I were an anarchist. All love to anarchists, but…sometimes y’all can be kind of cringe! But I’m a hater! Same goals same struggle though etc <3