The reason you don't know our history, Melissa, is that conventional Jewish history has been thoroughly obsessed with sages and martyrs. I deeply admire your telling the stories of the rest of us in such an honest and compelling way. Yes, your work needs to be compiled into a book, and such a book, I believe, does not yet exist. I once tried to write a book like that, and have some nice vignettes if you want them. You're a much better writer than I am, and I believe you'll succeed because why Jews have survived is so much more interesting than why they died.
I am so glad you plan to write book or books. Every one of your articles (that I have time to read) is worth it. Your writing and references educate me to be able to inform or discuss with the antizionists, the fence sitters, the apologists etc. Maybe truth / facts will get through their anger.
Sharing what you learn as fast as you learn is the best thing you can do, and makes you deserving of all our respect. Pirkei Avot 6:3 says “One who learns from his fellow a single chapter, a single law, a single verse, a single statement, or even a single letter must treat him with honor.”
As I read your words today… I smiled. Why? Because I was asking myself the same darn question! in fact, I wanted to put down the pen and just walk away …in fact, as I was reading your “why” which you answered…. Deuteronomy 6:7 was screaming at me ….and I burst out chuckling (in a good way)…. Why? Because you were writing on 6 7 just the other day….. I don’t believe in coincidences….
Some suggestions, if i may, is write a book that is digestible for teenagers as well as adults, or create volumes for two age groups of readers. Include images, maps, timelines, graphics that grab the eye, leading the reader to want to learn more.
Some books are consumed by those who rely on words, others need visual information to organise the ideas. I see you do that in some newsletters, which i share with students. It is helpful!
Technically i am a retired programmer/network engineer. But i have also nearly always been a Hebrew & B'nai Mitzvah teacher. (And a one-time developmental psychologist, a job i despised, though what i learned in grad school was invaluable for the work i do now.) Too few of my students have enough helpful, relevant knowledge of Jewish history with which to defend themselves against the anti-semitism they regularly experience.
You are doing important and interesting work. I subscribed from the first time I read you. Thank you and keep going.
I am also a history activist but I started with historical fiction. After spending several years in the netherworld of agent emails, I self published. I never heard from another agent again, after October 7th. I did hear things like the Holocaust is Zionist propaganda, etc. My novel is the story of two Jewish children in the Soviet Union in 1941-42 and is based on years of research and interviews in Russia. The story of WWII in the Caucuses has not been told and everything in the novel is true.
I am now working on a novel about a small Jewish community in the South of France in the post WW II era. How did it feel to return to a France that had betrayed you? One in which your ancestors lived and fought for and loved for centuries.
I love what I do and I wanted to let you know that the fact that you are out there and writing and caring about our history, helps me to know that what I do is important too. Thank you again.
My novel, btw is called You, With Your Waiting and is pretty much available everywhere.
Melissa two stories: a) As a teacher teaching college World History ,I found a tangible truth of why people don't grasp who Jews are? The Hebrews are explained with exquisite detail because it is ancient history. Yet, turn the pages to the next chapters, and you will find that there is no discussion of what occurs in Jewish History next. On my own volition after teaching this one year like it was written, I amplified a short version of "what was happening to the Jews in that specific timeline." Yet, the reactions were not all positive Some students protested telling me "if it is not in the book why do they have to learn that ?" You know what I responded. I even heard a student saying to her neighboring student: "oh! here she goes again.!" Yes, it is necessary to go again.
b) While being a teacher in Jewish schools, I found similar type of situation but also with different reasons. So my solution, was to write a book called "Jewish Tradition Through Literature" It was well received in many Jewish schools,.It has stories and poem interspersed with sections of a specific period of Jewish history. That is how some people recognized me in FB.
As you can see from what wrote above, I definitely say go ahead and try to publish since all what I have read from you,(as I told you, enriched me.) You will enrich others. Kol Hakavod and follow your dreams!
Self publish. Your audience is limited to some extent and you already reach many of us. You've a web site you can sell from plus you can have it available on Amazon and through other distribution channels. You keep more of the sales.
We self published and used LULU. It's easy, and keeps you in touch with who is buying your book that you can send blog announcements to.
We use WIX as our store site. Besides, it's a great Israeli company.
The reason you don't know our history, Melissa, is that conventional Jewish history has been thoroughly obsessed with sages and martyrs. I deeply admire your telling the stories of the rest of us in such an honest and compelling way. Yes, your work needs to be compiled into a book, and such a book, I believe, does not yet exist. I once tried to write a book like that, and have some nice vignettes if you want them. You're a much better writer than I am, and I believe you'll succeed because why Jews have survived is so much more interesting than why they died.
I am so glad you plan to write book or books. Every one of your articles (that I have time to read) is worth it. Your writing and references educate me to be able to inform or discuss with the antizionists, the fence sitters, the apologists etc. Maybe truth / facts will get through their anger.
Sharing what you learn as fast as you learn is the best thing you can do, and makes you deserving of all our respect. Pirkei Avot 6:3 says “One who learns from his fellow a single chapter, a single law, a single verse, a single statement, or even a single letter must treat him with honor.”
You’ve seen it all before. So, just thank you for doing what you do. It is a pleasure to support you with my subscription.
As I read your words today… I smiled. Why? Because I was asking myself the same darn question! in fact, I wanted to put down the pen and just walk away …in fact, as I was reading your “why” which you answered…. Deuteronomy 6:7 was screaming at me ….and I burst out chuckling (in a good way)…. Why? Because you were writing on 6 7 just the other day….. I don’t believe in coincidences….
Oh wow!! That's crazy cool!
Some suggestions, if i may, is write a book that is digestible for teenagers as well as adults, or create volumes for two age groups of readers. Include images, maps, timelines, graphics that grab the eye, leading the reader to want to learn more.
Some books are consumed by those who rely on words, others need visual information to organise the ideas. I see you do that in some newsletters, which i share with students. It is helpful!
Technically i am a retired programmer/network engineer. But i have also nearly always been a Hebrew & B'nai Mitzvah teacher. (And a one-time developmental psychologist, a job i despised, though what i learned in grad school was invaluable for the work i do now.) Too few of my students have enough helpful, relevant knowledge of Jewish history with which to defend themselves against the anti-semitism they regularly experience.
To your success!
L'hatz-leh-khah!
!להצלחתך
Dear Melissa,
You are doing important and interesting work. I subscribed from the first time I read you. Thank you and keep going.
I am also a history activist but I started with historical fiction. After spending several years in the netherworld of agent emails, I self published. I never heard from another agent again, after October 7th. I did hear things like the Holocaust is Zionist propaganda, etc. My novel is the story of two Jewish children in the Soviet Union in 1941-42 and is based on years of research and interviews in Russia. The story of WWII in the Caucuses has not been told and everything in the novel is true.
I am now working on a novel about a small Jewish community in the South of France in the post WW II era. How did it feel to return to a France that had betrayed you? One in which your ancestors lived and fought for and loved for centuries.
I love what I do and I wanted to let you know that the fact that you are out there and writing and caring about our history, helps me to know that what I do is important too. Thank you again.
My novel, btw is called You, With Your Waiting and is pretty much available everywhere.
Melissa two stories: a) As a teacher teaching college World History ,I found a tangible truth of why people don't grasp who Jews are? The Hebrews are explained with exquisite detail because it is ancient history. Yet, turn the pages to the next chapters, and you will find that there is no discussion of what occurs in Jewish History next. On my own volition after teaching this one year like it was written, I amplified a short version of "what was happening to the Jews in that specific timeline." Yet, the reactions were not all positive Some students protested telling me "if it is not in the book why do they have to learn that ?" You know what I responded. I even heard a student saying to her neighboring student: "oh! here she goes again.!" Yes, it is necessary to go again.
b) While being a teacher in Jewish schools, I found similar type of situation but also with different reasons. So my solution, was to write a book called "Jewish Tradition Through Literature" It was well received in many Jewish schools,.It has stories and poem interspersed with sections of a specific period of Jewish history. That is how some people recognized me in FB.
As you can see from what wrote above, I definitely say go ahead and try to publish since all what I have read from you,(as I told you, enriched me.) You will enrich others. Kol Hakavod and follow your dreams!
You've definitely found your lane - you're phenomenal.
Self publish. Your audience is limited to some extent and you already reach many of us. You've a web site you can sell from plus you can have it available on Amazon and through other distribution channels. You keep more of the sales.
We self published and used LULU. It's easy, and keeps you in touch with who is buying your book that you can send blog announcements to.
We use WIX as our store site. Besides, it's a great Israeli company.