That Precious Strand of Jewishness
that Challenges Authority
by Leon Rosselson
(Five Leaves, £4)

WITH the furore around a purported rise in anti-semitism in the Labour Party, this slim booklet based on a talk accompanied by songs given by folk singer Leon Rosselson is more than apposite.

Like so many of those others in Britain of Jewish lineage, Rosselson is descended from those antecedents who settled in these islands after fleeing pogroms in eastern Europe.

In his family, too, there were religious and secular ancestors, including the odd rabbi. He says, though, that over three generations “Jewish identity in my family has faded like an old photograph.”

Pertinently, he questions what being a Jew means — is it adherence to Judaism as a religion, an ethnicity, a citizen of Israel or someone who eats “chicken soup with knedlach?”

He describes clearly and with historical insight how any concept of “Jewishness” can involve all of those things and more.

In his own life, he has decided to pick and choose from this tradition and history and build on what he deems to be the progressive, humane and universalist values of that Jewish background.

Rosselson is a strong supporter of Palestinian rights, seeing in the victimisation of Palestinians by the state of Israel parallels with historical Jewish persecution.

He concludes this short essay by stating: “I share with the growing number of Jews in the diaspora who place solidarity with the oppressed above demands of tribalism and with those in Israel who dare to stand against the powers that be.”

This is an excellent booklet for those interested in these thorny question of identity, solidarity and belonging.

As importantly, it’s an antidote to anti-semitism but also a counterargument to those who describe anyone criticising Israel and supporting Palestinian rights as anti-semitic.

Leon Rosselson is appearing at the Stop the War garden party in north-west London on Sunday July 10, details: ian@redmagic.org.uk

Review by John Green