That was the frivolous (but important!) part of this two-part flog. And no, no-one is paying me for this - I swear. (Although maybe the Manolo will send me a free "Evil of the Lagerfeld" T-shirt or something...hint, hint).
The less frivolous plug is for a new periodical called Eretz Acheret (A Different Place). Until recently it was published only in Hebrew; last month it debuted in English with an edition called "A Letter to Europe: The Continent through Israeli Eyes." This is a collection of articles written by a cross-section of Israeli intellectuals and/or journalists, reflecting a wide variety of opinions. Contributors include American-Israeli journalist and contributor to The New Republic Yossi Klein-Halevi, the Hungarian-Jewish intellectual Janos Kobanyai and historian Fania Oz-Salzberger (daughter of Amos Oz).
In her introduction to A Letter to Europe, editor Bambi Sheleg writes:
This edition is mainly an attempt to clarify how Israelis who were raised on the lap of European culture view the European zeal to judge Israel on ethical grounds. How do these "ex-Europeans" assess the state of the Continent today?
The diverse voices expressed in the pages of this magazine articulate a multifaceted, still unresolved approach toward the continent where most of the Jewish people lived for over a thousand years. They range from cold diplomatic analysis, nostalgic yearning and deferential approbation to uncontained rage, infinite pain, utter disappointment and prophecies of doom.
After more than 60 years, we feel the time has come for the start of a true dialogue, one in which Europe not only voices its opinion of Israel and its actions, but also hears what Israelis think of it.
I read most of this 76 page magazine in a single sitting. The writing is of an extremely high quality. Unlike practically everything else you'll read about Israel's relationship with Europe, this is journalism that truly achieves depth and analysis.
There's no Web site for Eretz Acheret, but you can obtain your copy by sending an email to acheret@netvision.net.il. I think a one-year subscription costs around NIS 150 (about US $35). It's well worth it.
