Once More with Chutzpah

by Haley Neil

A moving YA debut about a girl who grapples with questions of her Jewish identity, mental health struggles, and sexuality while on a temple exchange trip through Israel. When high school senior Tally and her twin brother Max head off on an exchange trip to Israel over their winter break, Tally thinks it will be a good distraction for Max; he might be trying to hide it, but she knows he's still struggling in the wake of a car crash that injured him and killed the driver. Maybe this will help him get back on track and apply to college the way he and Tally always planned. But as the group travels across the country, Tally realizes her plan might not be working, and that her brother might not be the only one with a lot on his mind. When a new relationship gets complicated in the face of her own anxiety-about her future, her sexual and romantic identity, and her place within the Jewish diaspora-Tally must grapple not only with the past, but also with what life will be like when they get back home. Debut author Haley Neil offers a relatable and deeply felt story about identity on the cusp of adulthood.

Genres: Young Adult, Jewish, Contemporary, LGBT, Mental Health, Fiction, Audiobook

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2022

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of the people "reviewing" this book have read it -- because it has not yet been published and no arcs have been released. Instead they are here to object the idea of a book set in Israel -- without knowing what it is actually about or how it may deal with nuanced issues. They are saying that an #ownvoices author may not write about her own experiences. I am sure that they do not express disgust at every book set in the US despite our deep problems. I doubt they would reject a book from any other country or an author of any other background because they disagree with the governnment of that country. Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism (lots of Jews criticize Israel!), but rejecting an author writing about her own Jewish experience definitely is.

[may ➹]

instead of reading or supporting this book, you should donate to these organizations, and educate yourself about Palestine using this carrd or these resources <3

[bookishlycaffenaited · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review after reading:

I loved this! So cute, so fun, so enjoyable!

What I liked:

-I normally don't like excessive pop culture references throughout fictional books. It usually takes me out of the narrative. I actually liked it in this one, which is huge for me. I looooved the Broadway references and adored how each chapter was titled after a Broadway song. It really added a layer to the setting and tone of each chapter, though I'm not sure it would be as effective if someone isn't familiar with Broadway. But either way, I loved it.

-I loved the characters. I thought they were entertaining, supportive, and fleshed out really well for such a small amount of time. Sarona was a particular standout. I loved her voice and take on things, her passion for art and her overall effortlessness. She was confident, funny, supportive, and cool, and juxtaposed Tally's character well. This is so random but the Israeli guy, Amit, was absolutely hilarious. I could literally picture a guy like him on the trip, so confused with the beach game they were playing but, going along with it anyway and asking hilarious, rather personal questions. Side note: they were at the beach and Matkot wasn't mentioned??? How!!
Max was great as well. I really loved the dynamic between him and Tally. Their push and pull energy, their tension and annoyance with each other. But their tender, supportive moments were so sweet and well done as well. I really got a good sense of their relationship.

-The setting. Obviously. This book was visceral in a sense. There are so many places Tally goes that I went to on my own trip to Israel. I was instantly transported, and it made me miss Israel 100000x more than I already do. Eating falafel in the Jaffa port?? the best. Being called at by shuk vendors about Taglit? of course. Water rafting and then ending the day at a winery? Yep, did that too, and loved it. Masada, dead sea, and camel riding? Obviously. Getting Jachnun, shakshuka, schnitzel, Israeli salad?? ahhhhhh i miss it all. While reading, I was practically there, and it just gave me a big sense of missing home.

-Tally's journey. I loved how Tally got to learn about herself on this trip. That's obviously to be expected, but it was done very well. Especially when it came to her delving into her sexuality. Her anxieties and panic attacks, doubts and fears, and hopes and aspirations were all depicted in a way that really helped me understand the character well. She's 18, but seems and acts more juvenile. It sometimes drove me nuts, tbh, but she's clearly a sheltered girl who has a lot of life to see and growing up to do. I thought her journey into finding more about herself was beautiful and inspiring, and i appreciate how it wasn't wrapped up too well at the end, but rather realistically, where you're left happy and rooting for her the whole way.

-The Jewish Rep. Oh, if teenage me could have had this book!! I really enjoyed how Neil delved into different aspects of Judaism. She touched upon very relevant topics pertaining to Judaism such as, how Jews are an ethno religion so there's no such thing as "looking like a Jew" because Jews are a tribe of people. We all range in skin tone and features since there are Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Ethiopian, Asian Jews, etc. The subject of antisemitism was brought up as well, which is an ever-growing issue that needs to be addressed and combatted. The question of what makes someone a Jew was a dilemma within Tally, which I thought was such an important topic as well. Tally is secular, with a Catholic mom, so her identity as a Jew is questioned not just by herself, but by her peers. The constant comparisons between one another of what makes someone a better Jew is such an important topic and something I have struggled with before as well.

Also, Yad Vashem was written beautifully. Neil really captured the environment and sombre experience very well. I didn't expect her to mention the children's exhibit, which completely broke me when I went, but it was written so poignantly. Just such an important part of the book that I really appreciated.

The subject of grief was explored and dealt with very well, too. It was a very honest approach and was absolutely heartbreaking.

Also, the plot twist hit me like a pile of bricks.

What I didn't like:

-The dialogue, sometimes. loved David, and I didn't mind his relationship with Tally. I actually liked a lot of their deep discussions. However, the flirty dialogue drove me nuts. First, because it didn't sound like teens flirting. I get that Tally acts younger than she is, but I felt like their conversations were better suited for like, tweens. Needless to say, if I was on their trip and had to witness their flirty banter, I would have cringed way too many times.

I wiiiiish there were more descriptions of the landmarks and sights in Israel. Because I've been to these places, I didn't struggle with picturing them in all their beauty. But as a reader, I wanted to read more. Like yes, there's a lot of sand and beige - it is a desert- but I wanted more detailed descriptions to really put me in the city. Like they went to Tzfat, which is so rich in history and culture, but there are no descriptions of the sights or just the feeling of being there.
I wish there had been more of an exploration of what Israel means to Jews, I guess. I don't mean like Tally has to completely fall in love and want to make Aaliyah. But I wanted to see her get to really grasp and appreciate Israeli culture and life. While Israeli's may be hard-headed and tough, they're also some of the kindest people I've ever met. There's a sense of family in that country, of a communal bond that ties us to the only Jewish state. I understand this is because Tally had to grow with her group more, and I love that she connects to the Israelis (that was one of the most beautiful scenes), I do wish there was a chance for her to reflect on the country just a bit, and see how it important our ancestral homeland is.

-The audiobook. I read this in tandem while listening to it. The narrator was okay, but not the best, at least to my liking. The way she pronounced certain Hebrew words and names was abysmal. I really didn't appreciate how names like Chaya was pronounced Kaya (seriously wtf.), and some words were so off the mark. I understand it's difficult to read, but having someone at least check on it would have made the world of a difference.

Overall, I really loved this debut. It was cute, fun, emotional, and I'm looking forward to what Neil will be writing next. Also, I'm definitely more tempted to book my next trip to Israel, like, asap.

Comments before reading:

** I really commend the publishing house for releasing this book. For those who wish to support this novel and the author (and show publishers our support of this as well!) please consider pre ordering the book (if possible), or requesting it at your local library!**


Criticizing a book that hasn’t even been published yet?? No arcs, no information other than a brief synopsis and pressuring the publisher to cease publication??? Yeah OKAY that seems right and just.

I’m not about it.

The book sounds super exciting and fun, and the author has released a statement where she acknowledges the hate she’s getting, hears what they’re saying, and says to have faith in her. Let her write about her experience and beliefs. Not allowing her otherwise is straight up unfair and an act of censorship.

Anyway, I can’t fucking wait to read this book.

[luciana · Rating 1 out of 5]

yes i love to read some roadtrip in israel while thousands of ppl are being targeted for religious hate crimes and having to flee their home country bc they fear for the lives. perfect place to set a roadtrip.

[Leora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Goodreads would clean up the trolls. This book isn't even published yet and people are here trashing it just because it's set in Israel.

[Aims]

no thank you, in this house we do not support books passed off as fun romps through an apartheid, settler state that routinely murders, displaces and subjugates palestinians. :)

[Fanna]

Please listen to the Palestinians bringing attention to this problematic book, please educate yourselves about occupation and annexation, please realise how this story would be ignoring the oppression by Israel through a trip — even if unintentional — wrapped in propaganda covers, and please don't fall for a cute cover without attempting to understand the concerns raised by Palestinian readers and others.

↣ read this and this ↢

[Aviva Dua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to all the Israel and Jew haters I’m going to buy this book and recommend all my friends buy it too! All the baseless hate for a book that hasn’t even come out yet just proves the nature of the hatred people have for Israel and the Jewish people. And don’t come at me in the comments section, I won’t be bothering to respond.

[Raina Siroty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am excited to read about her journey through life and Israel. For those critiquing the book before it has been published, shame on you! You think the United States is a nation of perfection? We have problems too...

[Rina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars and commenting here because of all the trolls and jerks who are giving this one star because it happens to be set in Israel. Do y’all really have nothing better to do than troll an author before the book is even released yet?

[Aviva · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m sure this book is going to be great, and i’m excited to read it. for those condemning a jewish book by a jewish author about jewish identity, throwing buzz words incorrectly to make a point: don’t read it. cry about it to your therapist, not good reads, you weirdos. jewish voices matter. if you don’t agree with that, then that’s your issue, not jews’

anyway! i’m gonna pre-order this and do a more in depth review later. mazel tov to the author for her publication.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The negative reviewers here have slurped up propaganda giving them permission to ostracize Jews in the name of "social justice." If these sourpusses don't like Jewish stories, that's fine, they don't have to read them.

[W.F. Jamesson-Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should be rather astounded that so many Jew-hating Anti-Semites and apparent queer-hating homophobes are attempting to trash a book before it has even been released, and is only currently available for pre-order, which I have done.
Sadly, I am not astounded. The virulent ignorance of the history of the Middle East in general, and Judea/Palestine specifically, has a way of infecting every facet of our lives with obtuse, deliberately ignorant support for a Terrorist Organization, e.g., Hamas. Hamas is patently Anti-Semitic with stated goal of murdering Israeli Jews, Druze, Bedouins, Circassians, and Christians, as well as an ideology of vile, brutish misogyny.
The Palestinian people deserve their own state in a Two State Solution, but Hamas rejects that notion while embracing the solution of murdering Israelis.
It is repugnant that this site has become a platform for Anti-Semitism, brutal misogyny, homophobia, and support for violent Salafi Jihadist views.

[nitya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let's not glorify/trivialize genocide

Let's do support Palestinian and Central Asian authors :)

[Isra' · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of all publishing news I expected to hear this year, that of a YA pinkwashing the propaganda machine of birthright trips is not it! Millions of Palestinian refugees are denied the right to go home and yet this author thought Israel would be the ideal setting for a ~quirky self discovery journey~..... hard pass
EDIT: got asked by a zionist where my knowledge of zionism comes from, so I thought I'd paste my answer here, since that zionist is obviously not gonna care about what a Palestinian has to say, but maybe someone else scrolling through these reviews might.

"I'm literally Palestinian, dumbass.
My knowledge of what zionism is comes from having soldiers' weapons pointed at me every time I try to visit my homeland. My knowledge of zionism comes from knowing that many Palestinians have been murdered in those border crossings, in those checkpoints, before, and that one wrong look could see me join their ranks. My knowledge of zionism comes from having my family flee in terror from their homes in 1967, terrified that they'll get massacred if they stay, a deadly repeat of 1948. My knowledge of zionism comes from the intergeneretional trauma from that.
My knowledge of zionism comes from my own green ID card, othering me in my own homeland. My knowledge of zionism comes from seeing the hebrew letters on this card, not there for me, but for IDF soldiers brutalising the land with their existance. Do you even know what a green ID card is?
My knowledge of zionism comes from my own people's history, told to me by my family, so the new generations of Palestinians never forget the massacares, never forget the stolen homes, the stolen lands, the stolen lives, over and over and over again, every single minute of every single day since 1948 to now. So Palestinians never forget the dead children of the past, so we remember the dead children of the present.
My knowledge of zionism comes from knowing that those tales are also told as warnings. "This is what zionists have done to us, and what they'll keep doing to us."
My knowledge of zionism comes from having the entire world deny those truths to me, as though I can't trust my own eyes and ears and senses. "No, all those children aren't in military jails right now, but if they are they deserve it. No, Palestinians don't live in fear of their homes being stolen by settlers, but if they do then the settlers are the real indigenous people of Palestine, so they shouldn't complain. No, Palestinians aren't forced to demolish their own homes by Israel, and if they do then those homes were built illegally anyway." Do they think we're stupid?
My knowledge of zionism come from having zionists blame all of the above on netanyahu, as though he isn't just upholding the legacy of his predecessors. Just upholding the teachings of the founders of zionism. Jabotinsky described how no indigenous group, like Palestinian Arabs, could ever willingly hand their homeland over to white settlers, like the zionists. Ben gurion talked about how the partition plan was only temporary, and that the final goal of zionism was to expand to the whole of Palestine. Nordau advocated for zionist colonization at a large scale, rejecting the idea of small scale efforts. Ussishkin wanted all Palestinians who lived in Palestine to be resettled. And herzl knew that as a settler colonialist project, zionism would require the backing of imperialists. That's why he approached britain with the zionist project. That's why he approached cecil rhodes. Do you even know who any of those people are?

My knowledge of zionism encompasses all of that and even more. No one knows the true face of settler-colonialism more than its victims. My knowledge of zionism comes from being forced, alongside the rest of my people, to defend the basic fact of our existance over and over and over again, a continuous process of dehumanisation against the backdrop of ethnic cleansing and genocide. My knowledge of zionism exists because it replaces the knowledge of my Palestinian culture that was wiped from existance in 1948. Hundreds of villages destroyed, countless families separated, a whole part of our culture destroyed. And yet, we keep fighting, to this day, to conserve what has survived that massacre, even as zionists seek to steal everything from our food to our music to our clothes.
By the way, all of this isn't me talking to you, Jane. I couldn't care less what a random zionist thinks about Palestinians. Don't think I didn't notice you "forgetting" to ask me if I was Palestinian in your little comment, intentionally ignoring that Palestinians ARE the authority on what zionism is and isn't. Every single Palestinian on Earth is a survivor of ethnic cleansing. Every single one. All our lives, in all their miniscule details, have been smashed to bits by zionism. All our lives are intricately tied to zionism's crimes. That's where my knowledge of zionism comes from.
Just like any settler-colonialist ideology, it's a blight on Earth. Again, this isn't directed at you, because I have no interest in engaging with anti Palestinian racists. This is for anyone who happens to glance at this page, wondering why so many Palestinians are mad at this book. Zionists don't get to prance over the carcasses of destroyed villages and claim that Palestinians don't have a right to their anger. Zionists don't get to claim that zionism is just "the idea that jewish people deserve a country!!!!!" when the historical and political reality of this ideology has always been fundamentally tied to settler-colonialism.
Despite all of this, I never lose hope. Oppressive regimes never last, no matter how powerful they think they are. Colonialism, in all of its forms, is not a long-lasting, stable way of existance. There will come a day when Palestinians are able to safely live in their homeland again. I just hope I get to see it in my lifetime. I just hope I get to stand on the beaches of the mediterrenean sea in my lifetime."

[Megan]

I actually don't see "birthright trip" anywhere in the above description. The blurb says it's an exchange trip, and the uproar over this is, in my opinion, premature. Lots of American teens take senior trips to various countries. And it changes them. We don't have any idea how this author is handling the Palestinian POV. It may be central to her struggle to come to terms with her religion and personal values. Or it may not. To blacklist it before it comes out when it's #ownvoices is, to me, a huge error in judgement. We would not do that to a Muslim struggling with issues of belief and culture or a Latino author writing about experiences in Cuba, even if they celebrated Communism. This author's lived experience is equally valid, even if it is in stark opposition to your personal beliefs about the treatment of Palestinians. Also, there are hundreds of Americans who could never afford to travel to Israel to dig deeper into their spiritual heritage without these birthright trips. The economically disadvantaged depend on them, and decrying them makes me twitchy. It's a privileged view. I do think traveling to the West Bank and thoroughly understanding both sides of the conflict is imperative.

[Shawna Finnigan]

Marking this as not interested until the author responds to the criticisms of what she's writing about.

For context: https://twitter.com/khilfish/status/1...

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry your book is being targeted by antisemites and the ignorant. let's try and balance out the rating by people who haven't read the book yet--because it. hasn't. come. out.

[Geena · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that ignores the plight of Palestinians and the genocide faced at the hands of Israel. How can someone who claims to support BLM turn around in the same breath and write a cutesy book set in Israel?

Despite the efforts of a Palestinian activist to reach out and get in contact with both the author and agent, with feedback that they need to address the occupation in Palestine, both author and agent ignored them.

Read books written by Palestinian authors instead, or books by authors who don't ignore the Palestinian occupation.

Edit: Forgot I had notifs turned off for this but anyways dying at the comments shitting bricks and straight up spitting out zionist talking points, I'm sorry to say but maybe read The Hundred Years War on Palestine and then talk about the occupation of Palestine, actually scratch that how about you look at the news and how the IOF continues to slaughter innocents simply for being Palestinian and using the American talking point of them retaliation to "violence"... maybe grow some fucking braincells and humanity and basic empathy you rock for brains... some of the most braindead ppl in the comments fr... hope this book and author flop so bad that you ppl eat your words

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s sick how people are rating this book one star all using the same language and phrases. The language they’re using is not found in the book description, and book hasn’t been published yet. It’s clearly an organized campaign off some social media to hurt a Jewish author and to hurt Jewish children who want to see themselves reflected in literature they read. Goodreads needs to clean up the trolls here who are clearly just here for the antisemitism and have no knowledge about the actual book.

[Angela Domingo · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Becky Albertalli meets Birthright". Birthright trips are Zionist propaganda that literally removes Palestine from Israeli maps. Instead of supporting this book, we should educate ourselves about Palestine and its annexation by Israel. https://twitter.com/khilfish/status/1.... Once More with Chutzpah is just pinkwashing the occupation of Palestine. You can learn more about the situation in Palestine through grassroots organizations like the Palestinian Youth Movement. (https://linktr.ee/palestinianyouthmov...) or donate to these organizations (https://twitter.com/bintlevant/status...) Lastly, being against Zionism is NOT the same as being an antisemite. Although it is true that antisemites "speak out" against Zionism by claiming that they "support" Palestine, to assume that all Jewish people support Zionism (an ideology that promotes colonization of the lands of indigenous people) is antisemitic.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free🇵🇸

[human]

could we maybe just... not?

so done with this shit.

[Yann Steunou-Murray · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am afraid I cannot support this book's very premise. The concept of a birthright trip is a slap in the face to many Palestinians who still hold on to the keys of the homes they were forced to flee in 1948 with equal parts hope and desperation and are systematically denied the right to ever set foot in their homeland ever again. Palestinian activist Emily Khalifeh very politely reached out the author, agent and editor of this book only to be ignored until very recently. I would strongly advise anyone curious to seek out what she has to say on the subject to get a better sense of why this book is so insulting to a people suffering an ongoing genocide which has only gotten worse as a result of Israeli plans to annex the entire West Bank. These people should not be erased for the sake of a seemingly progressive fantasy .

[sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

glorifying birthright? not actually dope

[Shoshana Lazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am looking forward to reading this because it will help me understand the current identity questions of today's Jewish teenagers. LGBTQ questions in the Jewish community are a current hot topic and hopefully this will help explain that questioning your identity is developmentally healthy for teenagers.
For those saying that they are boycotting this book because they are anti-Israel - Since this book is not out yet, I am wondering how they are making an educated review based on things that are not even mentioned in the description. Nor are they understanding the relevant progressive topic of this book. I hope that their reviews do not prevent this book from reaching its intended audience.

[Sisi Loo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating something you haven’t read with one star because you irrationally hate another country is 🤮

[Jennifer Samson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Until Palestinians are allowed into their OWN HOMELAND, books like this are nothing but propagana. The author MUST see this. This book is glorifying how great it is that anyone from anywhere in the world who agrees with Israel's oppression of Palestinians can just tramp all around Palestine and feel a devine sense of belonging there. While the Palestinians who were born there are kept out. Gay Palestinians are murdered for their orientation while privileged kids from around the world are told they have a birthright to go insert themselves in the middle of a serious conflict and feel protected and special, and using LGBT themes to get away with this propaganda is insulting to all LGBT Palestinians.

[Era ➴ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can people just...not pull this kind of bullshit? We don't need another book invalidating thousands of lives and glorifying the erasure of culture. We already have a whole country that does that. 🖕🏽

[Ickabog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-ordered and looking forward to it!

[Judy Chessin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like everyone else, I haven’t read the book. It is absurd how cancel culture hits every part of our lives. The political protests brought me to a book I would have otherwise never read. Well done, activists. Now I’ll read it. So sad that Goodreads community can’t moderate the ones who try to blot out voices. I try to come here to get away from this kind of noise. Since we wont read, listen, dialogue with and learn from other narratives, we’ll never make progress. Sad.