Benjamin Resnick on the Enduring Precariousness of Jewish Life

Benjamin Resnick’s debut novel, Next Stop,  is a work of speculative fiction that explores the precariousness of Jewish American life through the lens of one family. After a black hole consumes the State of Israel, similar strange events occur in cities around the world, ushering in a time of chaos as well as miracles. (Simon and Schuster) Benjamin Resnick is the rabbi of the Pelham Jewish Center in New York. 

Our wide ranging and thought-provoking conversation touches on the recurring appearance of false messiahs, Hebrew as the enduring language of Jews, and Jewish joy even in times of trauma.

Benjamin’s Resnick’s Five Books:

1. Maus by Art Speigelman
2. The Tevye Stories by Sholem Aleichem
3. A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
4. Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins
5. Next Stop by Benjamin Resnick

Relevant Links:

• Satan in Goray by Isaac Bashevis Singer
• Cooking Pot on display at the Museum of the Jewish Heritage

The Five Books has the advisory and promotional support of The Jewish Book Council. November 24 to December 24 is Jewish Book Month! Celebrate with Jewish Book Council. https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/events/celebrate

The Five Books is fiscally sponsored by FJC, a 501c3 public charity.

Hosted by Tali Rosenblatt Cohen

Produced by Odelia Rubin

Artwork by Dena Friedman

Music by Dov Rosenblatt and Blue Dot Sessions