The Ultimate Hanukkah Gift for Young Maccabees
"This book is a gift of hope." —Yossi Klein Halevi
“For thousands of years, the story of the Maccabees was not included in our primary Jewish canon—neither in the Hebrew Bible nor in the Talmud. But today, Young Zionist Voices finally offers the beginning of a new Jewish canon, one that proudly highlights the stories of Jews bravely fighting back. Only these are not the Maccabees of the past; these are the Jewish warriors of the future.” —Zack Bodner, Afterword
David H.—On November 17 I was honored to speak at the Z3 Conference 2024, a remarkable gathering of more than 1,300 participants at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California. It was here that the official launch of Young Zionist Voices: A New Generation Speaks Out took place—including a panel of contributors moderated by Eylon Levy, a powerful keynote address by contributor Adela Cojab, and additional appearances by contributors. I’m sharing one pic here but I’ll talk more about this incredible conference in an upcoming post:
Young Zionist Voices has launched with a bang, with the book reaching #1 on Amazon in the categories of New Releases in Judaism and Sociology of Religion. It clearly has touched a nerve, and anecdotally I’ve been delighted to hear of parents buying multiple copies for their kids, educators ordering it for students learning about how to respond to antisemitism, and organizations ordering many copies for donors, young participants, and other stakeholders.
But the truth is: The best time for this book is Hanukkah, the holiday celebrating the revolutionary victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greek Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Like the Hasmoneans of old, these young Jewish leaders see their very identity under attack from antisemitic forces far greater than themselves—but instead of fleeing, freezing, or capitulating, they’re choosing to fight back.
If you’re struggling with the totalitarian hordes on your campus or urban centers yourself—or if you have younger family members feeling overwhelmed by the hostile antisemitic environment, consider giving them Young Zionist Voices. You can order copies on Amazon (with quick delivery in the UK, Australia, Japan, Canada and beyond—and qualifies for free shipping to Israel with Prime). Available in paperback and ebook editions.
For major discounts on bulk orders, reach out to Rhonda at orders@posthillpress.com.
“As the assault on the legitimacy of the Jewish story grows, many of us have worried about the Jewish future. But as this essential collection of thoughtful and inspiring essays reveals, our future leadership is already emerging. This book is a gift of hope.” —Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
Young Zionist Voices is published by Wicked Son and the Z3 Project. It brings together young American, Israeli, and global Jews to offer a core of thought leadership for the next generation—one filled with Jewish pride, passion for Israel, and Zionist resilience in the face of a global assault on their identity, homeland, and heritage.
I’m proud to have edited this collection, which includes 31 essays by campus activists, young rabbis, Jewish professionals, writers and thinkers. It has a foreword by Eylon Levy, wartime spokesman for Israel, and an afterword by Zack Bodner, President and CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California.
Advance Praise for Young Zionist Voices:
“Reading this book is like taking all these brilliant young people out for coffee—and then listening, in silent awe, as they articulate their visions for the future. In a time of horror, here’s some fantastic news: The Jewish future is in good hands.”
— Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews
“As this essential collection of thoughtful and inspiring essays reveals, our future leadership is already emerging. This book is a gift of hope.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
“These essays are not just ideas. They are the seeds of a vibrant, unbreakable Jewish future.”
— Noa Tishby, co-author of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew
“Within these essays hide the next Ben-Gurion, the next Jabotinsky, the next Rabbi Kook and Ahad Ha’am—and so many other future leaders of a new, strong, and proud Zionist movement.”
— Shai Davidai, Columbia Business School
“A rising generation of young proud Jews are leaning into being Jewish, into the joy, into the history, into the future, and yes, into the fight.”
— Einat Wilf, author of We Should All Be Zionists
“Here are the voices—passionate, urgent, contradictory, clear—that will shape the Jewish future. They demand attention and they deserve respect.”
— David J. Wolpe, author of Why Faith Matters
“These young voices aren’t just Zionist. They are calling for Jews to live committed, engaged lives advocating for our people wherever we find ourselves, with Israel as an anchor. May their message be heard by many who might otherwise be out of reach.”
— Elisha Wiesel, chairman, Elie Wiesel Foundation