On Being Jewish Now is a powerful anthology of essays with contributions from more than sixty Jewish writers. Despite their differences, these authors all share one common bond: the power to bring forth a strong sense of Jewish resilience in the face of devastating antisemitism.
The book grew out of the writers’ individual responses to the October 7th massacre and its tragic aftermath. Profits from the book are being donated to a group called Artists Against Antisemitism, a nonprofit collective founded by Jewish authors dedicated to fighting the world’s oldest hatred.
Given that a number of essay collections on Jewish thought already exist, one might expect this book to be predictable. But it is satisfyingly original. The contributors discuss food and trauma, love and family, and fears and wishes, yet they do so in the spirit of positivity and hope, giving us a deeper appreciation of the power of Judaism. Every story is about October 7th, and every story urges us to stand up and speak out.
The editor, Zibby Owens, is an author in her own right, and she is also a bookstore owner and a daily podcaster. As such, she has her finger on the pulse of today’s culture, and has used that expert awareness to corral this talented group of essayists.
Organized into easy-to-follow sections, the book is dedicated “to everyone who has been affected by the attacks of October 7.” Specific essays deal with motherhood, activism, memory, commitment and courage, coming out as Jewish, humor, and self-doubt. Brief author bios give us a sense of the various backgrounds the writers bring to their craft.
On Being Jewish Now is a call to and an awakening for Jews worldwide. Overall, the message is this: stay strong in this difficult time. Owens is convinced we can do it, so long as we never stop speaking out when we encounter hatred, injustice, and violence. Virtually every essay in the anthology echoes that sentiment, whether it is the main focus of the narrative or a theme tucked inside a Jewish story of love, longing, and laughter.
Linda F. Burghardt is a New York-based journalist and author who has contributed commentary, breaking news, and features to major newspapers across the U.S., in addition to having three non-fiction books published. She writes frequently on Jewish topics and is now serving as Scholar-in-Residence at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
