There are many observances of the 60th anniversary of the independence of Israel that have already taken place and there is a long list of others to come. Especially in New York. But I've been involved in the planning of one that I believe will be intellectually cutting-edge and politically significant. Bernard Henri-Levy, the brilliant and highly controversial French intellectual, whose writings appear frequently in TNR and TNR on-line, will be the speaker. His topic is "The Strange Experience of Jewish Sovereignty." Why does an independent Israel rile so many states and countries? Why does it threaten so many "humanistic" intellectuals and especially Jewish intellectuals? I've discussed this matter with Bernard, who is an old friend, and his is a very provocative take.
The talk will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at YIVO-Institute for Jewish Research, 15 West 16th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues), New York City. Tickets are available at the door. Remember the date and time: this coming Sunday, April 6, at 7 p.m.
The meeting with be chaired by another frequent contributor to TNR, Paul Berman, the author of Terror and Liberalism, and a learned commentator on the Middle East.
I do hope to see you there.
By the way, there will be a showing of Otto Preminger's momentous film EXODUS (starring Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Ralph Richardson, Sal Mineo, David Opatashu) at 1 P.M. with a panel discussion including Nathan Lee and Noah Harlan.
I hope to see you there.