Redemption in the Sinai Desert
Canadian-Israeli journalist Matti Friedman has written
a moving commentary on Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen’s experience in
the Siani desert during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The book opens with Cohen
feeling sorry for himself on the Greek island of Hydra with his partner and
young son. After success with “Suzzane” and “Bird on the Wire” he feels his
career at age 39 is washed up.
Of a sudden Egypt invades the Sinai and Israel is at
war with Egypt and Syria. And for whatever reason this scion of a very orthodox
and very prominent Jewish family from Montreal feels the urge to go to Israel.
On arrival in Tel Aviv, he hooks up with the Israeli version of a USO tour and
he ends up entertaining the troops in a very active war zone.
Author Freidman pieces together the story from
previously unpublished notes written by Cohen, articles from a defunct Israeli
music magazine and seeking out after nearly 50 years the Israeli troops who
witnessed his concerts. He also memorializes many of the soldiers who present
at the time and more than a few of them died in combat. Cohen was there at the
early stages of the war where casualties were high, and the prospect of an
Israeli defeat loomed large. It was in these vignettes where Friedman’s
reporting skills came to the fore.
Out of his experience in the Sinai Leonard Chen is
redeemed and he becomes a new person. Within a few years he authors “Lover,
Lover, Lover,” “Hallelujah,” “Who by Fire,” based on the Yom Kippur prayer
Unetanah Tokef. He also sings and writes my favorite, “Dance Me till the End of
Love.” With those songs Leonard Cohen becomes a legend in the music world.
Friedman has told a great story about Leonard Cohen,
Israeli life during a time when Israel felt most threatened, and the heroism of
Israeli soldiers in the early days of the Sinai War. Along the way there are
many interesting vignettes such a wedding performed on a military barge. It
adds life to the story.
For the full Aazon URL see: Redemption in the Sinai Desert (amazon.com)
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