This list is shared as a guest contribution by Rabbi Johnny Solomon. Rabbi Solomon is an educator and writer whose work focuses on Jewish thought, identity, and contemporary issues facing Israel and the Jewish people.
As Yom HaZikaron approaches, I would like to recommend a number of powerful books.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and you are very welcome to add your own recommendations in the comments below.
In terms of the books listed here, those with an asterisk are ones that I have personally read, and those with boxes around them indicate books available in both Hebrew and English
*IF YOU’RE READING THESE WORDS/אם אתם קוראים את המילים האלה
SHLOMO KAVAS & RACHELI PALANT-ROZEN
This is a heartrending book of 49 final letters of fallen soldiers which expresses their hopes, dreams, values and commitment to their family, friends, people and country.
*ONE DAY IN OCTOBER/יום אחד באוקטובר
YAIR AGMON & ORIYA MEVORACH
This incredible book contains forty remarkable stories of forty remarkable heroes, each of whom teach us about faith, courage, heroism and sacrifice.
*הגיבורים
ELI HALIFA
This inspiring book tells the stories of 25 heroes while also offering glimpses and insights about their life journey and life choices.
לוחמות
AYALA DEKEL
This groundbreaking book is made up of interviews with 20 female IDF fighters who describe what it has been like as women to serve and to fight in wartime.
מה אתה יודע על געגוע
HADASSA BEN ARI
This heartbreaking book records the stories of 18 IDF widows whose husbands fell in battle while reflecting on love, loss, ache and hope.
*משורה לתקומה
AVNER COHEN
This unique book tells the story of the Shura Military Rabbinate base where volunteers of all types came to identify and grant dignity to those murdered on October 7th and the fallen soldiers from that day and the months that followed.
*A DREAMER AND FIGHTER/חולם ולוחם
AMITAI ZVI GRANOT
This tender book is a collection of entries from Captain Amitai Zvi Granot’s diary which are accompanied by spiritual reflections penned by his father Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot.
HOSTAGE/חטוף
ELI SHARABI
This raw memoir contains reflections from Eli Sharabi’s experience on October 7th when he was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists and from the subsequent 490 days when he was held in captivity in the Hamas terror tunnels.
WHEN WE SEE YOU AGAIN
RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN
This searing memoir, which will be published on April 21st and which can be pre-ordered, tells the story of Rachel and Jon’s remarkable fight for their son Hersh, their shock and horror when Hersh and 5 other hostages were executed by Hamas terrorists, and their message of faith and hope despite their continuing ache and grief.
לא נשבר
BAR KUPERSHTEIN
This remarkable memoir describes what Bar experienced during the 738 days that he was held in the Hamas terror tunnels and what he did during this time to maintain his faith, his hope and his humanity.
*מלחמת השיקום
SHACHAR BUTZCHAK
This insightful book tells the story of Rabbi Shachar Butzchak who was shot and seriously injured in a gun battle that took place on October 7th 2023 just 100 metres from his house in Ofakim, and it describes his physical and mental journey of healing and rehabilitation.
We are grateful for the care and insight reflected in this selection, and we invite readers to continue the conversation by sharing additional recommendations and reflections in the comments.