{"product_id":"book-javz","title":"The Holy and the Broken","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen dehumanisation and destruction become the norm, the cycle must be broken.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLonglisted for the 2025 Walkley Award\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinalist in the 75th US National Jewish Book Awards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor over twenty years, Ittay Flescher has worked as an educator, journalist and peacebuilder in Melbourne and Jerusalem. When he woke up on the morning of October 7, 2023 to the sounds of rocket sirens over Jerusalem and later saw the devastation of Gaza in response, the grief and sadness that engulfed him - and so many others - compelled him to ask: how can we find a way forward?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing years spent facilitating dialogue between Jews, Muslims and Christians, Ittay believes that peace can only be found if we are willing to empathise with the pain of others.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Holy and the Broken\u003c\/em\u003e challenges Palestinian and Israeli leaders, citizens and their supporters across the world to imagine a different reality; to look at history with a different eye; and to search for moments of engagement rather than resentment in the narratives of the past that each side tells about itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUltimately, this is a story that aims to comfort the troubled and trouble the comfortable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"\" font-size: letter-spacing:\u003ePraise:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Courageous and considered. Ittay nurtures the tender, fragile shoots of peace. The world could do with more people like him' \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Kelly, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A book of rare insight and compassion, \u003cem\u003eThe Holy and the Broken\u003c\/em\u003e offers the one thing we thought we'd lost after October 7: a glimmer of hope for meaningful lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians' \u003cstrong\u003eBram Presser, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Book of Dirt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'At a moment when many are choosing sides, Ittay Flescher encourages us to choose humanity. He offers a vision of a shared future, grounded in his life's work of grassroots peacebuilding with Jewish, Muslim and Christian youth. This timely and extraordinary book offers something precious and much needed: hope' \u003cstrong style=\"\" font-size: letter-spacing:\u003eRabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"\" font-size: letter-spacing:\u003e'\u003c\/strong\u003eA valuable primer for anyone wanting a fair-minded introduction to this desperately bleak conflict, and written by a man who is clearly big-hearted and brave' \u003cstrong\u003eJames Button, \u003cem\u003eJewish Independent\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'What comes across consistently throughout the book is the author's sincerity and willingness to grapple with difficult issues and tough questions' \u003cstrong\u003eHannah Rozenblat, \u003cem\u003eJerusalem Post\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book, heartfelt and honest. You do not need to agree with everything Flesher has to say to find the book moving and challenging' \u003cstrong style=\"\" font-size: letter-spacing:\u003eMichael Gawenda, former editor in chief, \u003cem\u003eThe Age\u003c\/em\u003e, Melbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'This ability to empathise with the suffering on both sides is a core value of Flescher's reconciliation work, and the underpinning to many of the options he outlines' \u003cstrong\u003eDr Anne Sarzin, Jwire\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'As challenging and as contemporary as it is compassionate. In a world broken by war and polarisation, Ittay offers peaceful possibilities and nuanced perspectives' \u003cstrong\u003eRabbi Ralph Genende OAM, author of \u003cem\u003eLiving in an Upside-down World\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The Holy and the Broken\u003c\/em\u003e breaks new ground. Yet what makes it truly singular is its consistent humanity, and its centring of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians' \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Lyndon, executive director, Alliance for Middle East Peace\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e 'This account of the writer's devotion to peacebuilding in our war-torn region is a shining testament to what can and should be done by those who can imagine a future peace. It lights a candle in an age of darkness!' \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSari Nusseibeh, author of\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'When you finish it, you will not only know more about what's happening between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, but you will also know more about yourself' \u003cstrong\u003eMaoz Inon, Israeli peacemaker and social entrepreneur\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A powerful testament to the possibilities of reconciliation and mutual empathy during conflict, what sets this book apart is its commitment to showcasing the experiences of the diverse individuals involved - especially the integral, yet frequently overlooked, stories of women. By highlighting the gender dynamics at play, Flescher enriches our understanding of the conflict and underscores the importance of supporting a world where more voices are heard and valued' \u003cstrong\u003eSheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'When I picked this book up, I erroneously believed I already \"\"understood\"\" much about the ongoing, collective trauma of Palestinians and Israelis. But this thoughtful and deeply compassionate book shattered that illusion. By the time I put the book down, I was not the same person' \u003cstrong\u003eMiriam Anzovin, creator of Daf Reactions and Jewish Lore Reactions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49480260649264,"sku":"BDjavz","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/javz-Square-cover.jpg?v=1777640554","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-javz","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}