A Stephen Wise Temple member and a proud Wise School parent, Noa Tishby is excited to share her book on Israel with the Wise community during a special All School Parent Kabbalat Shabbat and Book Talk on May 27.
Following that morning’s 8:15 a.m. Kabbalat Shabbat, the Tel Aviv-born activist, author, model, singer, and actress will discuss her 2021 book, “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth,” with Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Rabbi Sari Laufer in our main sanctuary.
“Here at Wise, we are so proud to educate our children—and our whole community—to be ohavei Zion, lovers of Zion,” said Rabbi Sari. “We are committed to the land and the State and the people of Israel, committed to the Jewish people worldwide. We do that work here on the mountaintop, and Noa does it on the world stage. We are so honored to be in this conversation with her, both on May 27 and in an ongoing way.”
Recently named the State of Israel’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and the Delegitimization of Israel, Tishby chronicles her homeland’s evolution through bite-sized chunks of history and deeply personal stories. Starting in Biblical times and moving through World War I, Israel’s creation, and today’s divisive disputes, Tishby’s book was called “fascinating and very moving,” by award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.
Said comedian and media personality Bill Maher: “This is not your Bubbie’s history book.” Instead, offering a fresh, 360-degree view, Tishby brings her “passion, humor, and deep intimacy” (Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author of “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”) to the subject, creating an accessible and dynamic portrait of a tiny country of outsized relevance.
Tackling popular misconceptions with an abundance of facts, Tishby provides critical context around headline-generating controversies and offers a clear, intimate account of the richly cultured country of Israel.
The book talk at Wise will begin at 8:45 a.m., and will be followed by coffee and bagels, with copies of the book available for purchase and signing.