The Hebrew Teacher

"Intensely readable and beautifully observed . . . full of wisdom, generosity, humor, and sharp insights."—Elif Batuman, author of Either/Or and The Idiot

NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR HEBREW FICTION IN TRANSLATION / Risa Domb/Porjes Prize for Hebrew—English translation

Three Israeli women, their lives altered by immigration to the United States, seek to overcome crises. Ilana is a veteran Hebrew instructor at a Midwestern college who has built her life around her career. When a young Hebrew literature professor joins the faculty, she finds his post—Zionist politics pose a threat to her life’s work. Miriam, whose son left Israel to make his fortune in Silicon Valley, pays an unwanted visit to meet her new grandson and discovers cracks in the family’s perfect façade. Efrat, another Israeli in California, is determined to help her daughter navigate the challenges of middle school, and crosses forbidden lines when she follows her into the minefield of social media. In these three stirring novellas—comedies of manners with an ambitious blend of irony and sensitivity—celebrated Israeli author Maya Arad probes the demise of idealism and the generation gap that her heroines must confront.

Reading group guide to The Hebrew Teacher is available for download free of charge at newvesselpress.com.