Michael David Lukas Named Winner of Sophie Brody 2019 Award for Achievement in Jewish Literature

“The Last Watchman of Old Cairo”. David, M. L. Spiegel & Grau (2018).

Spanning time and place, Lukas weaves together three compelling life stories. Joseph, whose father was the last watchmen of the Old Cairo synagogue, embarks on a journey to discover his late father’s gift. Lukas merges history and fiction to help a son understand his heritage.

Honor Books

“Rise and Kill First: The secret history of Israel’s targeted assassinations”. Begman, R. Random House. (2018).

The moral questions behind Israel’s targeted killing program are never ignored, but the many nuances of individual reactions and judgements are explored deeply— successes an failures. There are no easy answers, but this book sheds new light and perspective on the safety and security of the Jewish state.

“The Stone Crusher: The True Story of a Father and Son’s Fight for Survival in Auschwitz” Dronfield, J. Chicago Review Press. (2018)

This book follows the disturbing and unique story of Gustav and Kurt Kleinmann, a father and son who were interned together in Nazi concentration camps from the 1938 Anschluss until the camps were liberated. Their lives and the fates of other family members give a devastating picture, both panoramic and personal, of the holocaust.

The Sophie Brody Award selection consists of Jo Schofield (Chair), Barbara M. Bibel, Erin Fishman, Howard Fuller, Stacey J. Hayman, Isabel Gordon Klein, Eve A. Nyren, Patrick J. Wall.

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more at www.rusaupdate.org.

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