|
The Jewish Community of Afghanistan From Kabul to Queens: The Jews of Afghanistan and Their Move to the United States is the first historical work exploring the past of Afghanistan’s Jewish community together with its transition to the U.S. and American norms. From Kabul to Queens is also the only book originally written in English about the Afghan Jewish community, though hopefully this will change in the future. From Kabul to Queens explores Muslim-Jewish relations; Afghanistan's Jewish daily life, from economics to Jewish women's education; and the timeless emigrant story of adjusting to a new land. The book ultimately analyzes Afghan political and social issues, including ethnic group conflict, underage marriage, and abysmal literacy rates for the overall population—and how the Jewish community did, or did not, follow these trends. From Kabul to Queens was born from a research and writing journey spanning over 4 years, a journey that went from New York’s synagogues to German foreign policy documents to Afghanistan's Jewish folktales to Jerusalem’s archives. From the Back Cover 'This engaging, innovative book brings to life the history of Afghan Jewry—from its earliest roots to the 21st century. Spanning from the community’s origins—which many Afghan Jews believe to be from biblical times—to the development of their Jewish communal institutions, From Kabul to Queens details the story of a small Jewish community that lived in relative peace with its Sunni Muslim neighbors. Sara Y. Aharon compellingly bridges the Jews’ experiences in Afghanistan to their successes and struggles in rebuilding a new life in the U.S. and among American Jewish society.' |
|
Reviews
"A well-researched and valuable study of the ancient but now-vanished Jewish community of Afghanistan, a little known community often overlooked by many Western scholars... Ms. Aharon's well-written study is an important contribution to the recognition of its existence, its history, and its role in the commerce of the famous Silk Road. As archaeologists uncover more evidence of that history, future scholars will find her study of significant value."
―ROSANNE KLASS, author of Land of the High Flags: Afghanistan When the Going Was Good and former New York Times reporter on Afghanistan
"Pioneering study."
―JONATHAN SARNA, author of American Judaism
"Sara Aharon captures a poignant chapter of contemporary Jewish social history in this vivid portrayal of Afghan Jews in transition. Aharon's lucid and accessible research has widespread and lasting implications for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of Jewish multiculturalism."
―SYLVIA BARACK FISHMAN, author of Jewish Life and American Culture
"A well-researched and valuable study of the ancient but now-vanished Jewish community of Afghanistan, a little known community often overlooked by many Western scholars... Ms. Aharon's well-written study is an important contribution to the recognition of its existence, its history, and its role in the commerce of the famous Silk Road. As archaeologists uncover more evidence of that history, future scholars will find her study of significant value."
―ROSANNE KLASS, author of Land of the High Flags: Afghanistan When the Going Was Good and former New York Times reporter on Afghanistan
"Pioneering study."
―JONATHAN SARNA, author of American Judaism
"Sara Aharon captures a poignant chapter of contemporary Jewish social history in this vivid portrayal of Afghan Jews in transition. Aharon's lucid and accessible research has widespread and lasting implications for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of Jewish multiculturalism."
―SYLVIA BARACK FISHMAN, author of Jewish Life and American Culture
