Book Club discussing the book The Promised Land by Ari Shavit with Racheli Komar-Aziz Additional Dates: Thursdays July 17th, 24th In the spring of 1897 a steamer carrying a delegation of 21 British Jews left Port Said, Egypt, for Jaffa - the last leg of its journey to the Holy Land. Leading the pack was Herbert Bentwich, an affluent London lawyer and Zionist leader and the great-grandfather of Ari Shavit, a columnist for the Haaretz newspaper and one of Israel's most influential political commentators. In 'My Promised Land,' his first book in English, Mr. Shavit charts Israel's history partly through the lives of his pioneering forebears: His grandfather, Herbert's son, was a Cambridge-educated pedagogue who helped develop Israel's education system, while his father was a chemist at the eye of Israel's nuclear program. The result is roughly equal parts personal and family memoir, Israeli history, and prophecies for the land's future. It is one of the most nuanced and challenging books written on Israel in years. Space is limited! If you are interested in joining us please contact Racheli:israel@jewishmadison.org