To stand in line is endemic to Israeli society. It used to be where you first learnt the basics of Hebrew and the nuances of Israeli reasoning. Today we have numbers and a great tradition is, in a sense, lost.

Pnina Moed Kass reviews The Lost by Daniel Mendelsohn and A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz, both memoirs of modern Jewish history. Mendelsohn mixes his personal history with 20th century events when he sets out to find out what happened to members of his own family. Oz writes about his early life in Israel with his intellectual parents and the problems they had compared with the comparable ease which his own life took.

Pnina Moed Kass gives the highest praise to the Jerusalem Review. Published in English this magazine is packed with wonderful articles – food for the intellect. An excellent Israeli product, sent round the world, and it does not need an export license!

A compelling review of the English translation of Elazer Stern’s book describing the painful emotions, decisions and confrontations he faced as a general in the Israeli army for 30 years. A must read.

Pnina Moed Kass reviews 2 books of historical interest, both of which she says were solidly researched, compiled, and edited. The first is In the Shadow of the Red Banner, by Yitzhak Arad which Pnina says is a fascinating historical record of the part Soviet Jewry played in the war against Nazi Germany. The second book is called Peace in the Making (The Menachem Begin-Anwar El-Sadat Personal Correspondence). Pnina compliments the editors on a breathtaking collection of letters, transcripts of speeches, press conferences, interviews, photos and official documents.

A review of a stunning art book, containing out of the ordinary artistic content and quality printing historically recording the history of mosaic art going back 40,000 years.

In this world of graphic icons and virtual reality the symbols used must be based on reality - but how can they be communicated with? The circle with a heavy dark line through it or an entry or exit sign, can they be spoken to? Pnina Mod Kass would love to communicate with the many symbols she “meets” every day.

The late Dr. Brian Braude held some intriguing conversations with Pnina Moed Kass while she was on his dentist’s chair. She remembers his talks about the many journeys he undertook and how she persuaded him to write about them for ESRA MAGAZINE.