Beyond Division - by Bilha Chesner Fish (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Drawn from fresh post-pandemic interviews, Beyond Division relates stories of how thirty diverse Israeli women leaders, artists, scientists, philanthropists, healers, academics--religious and secular Jews, Christians, Druze, Ethiopians, Arabs, and others, from the North to the South--lead lives of purpose in their polarized nation, despite war and socio-ethnic differences.

This unique collection of personal stories reveals the experiences, struggles, and successes of thirty diverse women leaders, post-pandemic. Beyond Division paints a vivid picture of Israel's challenges--past, present, and future--while depicting a love of country that unites all and inspires hope.

Among the thirty women featured: CEO of Diagnostic Robotics Kira Radinsky; artist and owner of Druze Holocaust Art Gallery, Bothaina Halabi; former Knesset Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Pnina Tamano-Shata; CEO of Arabic News and Social Media Platform Bokra.net, Ghada Zoabi; Board Chair of Medinol and founder of the NJR School of the Heart Judith Richter; CEO of Israeli Flying Aid, Gal Lusky; Particle Physicist and Social Activist Shikma Schwartzman Bressler, and IDF Special Nachal Division and Kibbutz Kfar Aza member, Varda Goldstein.

The author, a native Israeli who immigrated to the US fifty years ago, weaves into the book memories of the Israel of her youth, of how the familiar landscapes and original ideals have been transformed, yet still endure, and concludes that a nation divided can still be held together by a single person's love of country and community. As stated in the book's foreword by Dr. Uriel Reichman: "Dr. Fish's book is not only one of promise and hope, but one that highlights the growing need for women in leadership."

Review Quotes

"A stunning achievement...Many authors have sought to portray the reality of Israel today, but I cannot recall a more vivid and revealing look at that nation than that offered by Dr. Fish's interviews of an array of Israeli women, all having their say in their own words."--Floyd Abrams

"A unique picture of Israeli society that is particularly significant today...The documentation of our societal reality from the perspective of women leaders may help in understanding the causes of the current polarization, but, more importantly, can also help us identify sources of unity and hope."--Foreword by Professor Uriel Reichman, Founder and Chairman, Reichman University, Former Member of Knesset, from his Foreword

"A worthy addition to any women's studies library...this enlightening collection of life stories gives us hope that obstacles can indeed be overcome and peace achieved, no matter how different we all are."--Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Author of Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America

"Dr. Fish movingly demonstrates that Israel is more than a conflict zone. Through the stories of its exceptional women, she reveals Israel in all its diversity and complexity." --Dr. Georgette Bennett, Author of Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By

"Extraordinary...these important, in depth, and significant stories provide a bridge that can help connect a dynamic and changing Israeli society with the world."--Rikki Klieman, CBS News Legal Analyst

"To understand Israel today, this is a must read. There has never been a better collection that captures the incredible pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit of Israel's women."--Marcy Syms

About the Author

Bilha Chesner Fish, MD is an artist and author of Invincible Women, a book that counters the anti-immigrant stigma growing in the US and features inspiring first-person stories of twenty-one American immigrants from eighteen different countries who succeeded in their adopted homes. She has two daughters and four grandchildren and lives in New York City and Sag Harbor, New York. (www.invinciblewomenbook.com).