This July marked the third consecutive year of the Mandel Foundation–Israel's "book week" event. Held on the 643rd day of the Iron Swords war and in the wake of a particularly turbulent, though brief, campaign with Iran, the annual gathering offered a much-needed opportunity for the Mandel community to explore literature, poetry, and writing as a basis for dialogue and served as a testament to the accumulated cultural wealth of the Mandel graduate community. Focusing on the theme "A Language of Hope," the festive event celebrated belief in the power of writing to provide strength, envision new horizons, and shape new realities from within the void.
The event opened with remarks by Moshe Vigdor, director general of the Mandel Foundation–Israel, who referenced Vitruvius’ timeless book De Architectura, which illustrates the profound impact and enduring influence of writing on human culture. He expressed hope that the graduates will see their own books spark change in the world.
Next, Dr. Yaniv Iczkovits, a well-known Israeli author, moderated a discussion with musician Shlomi Shaban and writer and poet Dr. Yaara Shehori, whose poetry collection Our Trembling Times was recently published. The three discussed writing in times of crisis, the worlds that words can conjure, and the unique power of art as a source of solace. “Hope is an active force,” Dr. Shehori stated, asserting that for her, reading and writing are a form of salvation from the abyss. Shlomi Shaban performed his song “Exercise in Awakening,” and when he sang a Hebrew version of Leonard Cohen’s “Lover, Lover, Lover,” the audience joined in, the lyrics resonating as much today as when they were first written. The singer-songwriter shared the difficulty of finding comfort in words when all order seems upended. He noted that when he manages to articulate the suffering around him, he experiences a redemptive sense of hope.
The event continued with eight parallel writing and learning workshops led by graduates, including a poetry slam, the study of Jewish texts in times of crisis, and a workshop exploring the library as a lifeboat. The workshops also shed light on two major collaborative graduate projects from the past year:
Many Waters: A Hebrew collection of personal essays by graduates on the challenge of navigating storms.
Post 7.10, a Hebrew online exhibition created by graduates, which presents visual, textual, and musical responses to the trauma experienced by Israeli society following the events of October 7.
After the workshops, attendees browsed a display of 44 literary works written by graduates, all published in the past year. The fair's extensive offerings included works of non-fiction, philosophy, prose, poetry, children’s and young adult literature, spanning a wide array of topics such as education, sociology, philosophy, psychology, Judaism, Islamic studies, art, history, and more. Sixteen new poems expressing the spectrum of emotion from heartbreak to hope were printed on cards and presented as part of an illustrated project titled “Poems Written for the Drawer.”
The sense of community and shared purpose resonated deeply with participants. Alex Malayev, a graduate of the Mandel IDF Educational Leadership Program and father of a fallen soldier who displayed his book of poetry, described the event as "a safe breathing space" and reflected: “This year I was able to walk a bit taller. I was able to open the door, its hinges rusted by the burden of the times, to new words that hovered in the air. You created a safe breathing space and, with sensitivity and craftsmanship, opened a channel to touch many heartstrings and echo the voices of our loved ones – and our own. Thank you for the opportunity to breathe together as a community, and for each of us to beat in a unique and unified rhythm.”
Similarly, Ofra Lax, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Leadership in Jewish Culture and mother of a fallen soldier who presented her book Wherever I’ll be Needed, expressed gratitude for the chance to reach wider audiences and "to bring light and offer hope," a sentiment she found especially vital in these times.
Writing is an act of faith, a passing of the torch in a relay of goodwill across time. This year’s vibrant, hope-filled Book Week event testifies to the fact that even as Israeli society endures an open wound, books continue to emerge, offering opportunities for reflection, exploration, creativity, and perhaps even healing. Alongside the pursuit of knowledge, a language of hope is taking shape before our eyes, as the abundance of voices and perspectives reveals a determined and persistent yearning to increase good in the world.