Since I became known as an ‘Indian Jewish author,’ and being a Jew, I would often wonder, if my novels would ever be translated in Hebrew, about which, I had written in ‘BOOK OF RACHEL’ – ‘the language of our prayers.” Then, I gave up, but last year in 2020, I received a phone call from Gandhian scholar Shimon Lev, author of ‘Soulmates – The Story of Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach,’ published by Orient Black-Swan 2012. He was in Ahmedabad, working on another project. So, we decided to meet at a café, where I often meet friends. I do not know, at which moment, over cups of tea and cold-drinks, Shimon asked about my novels; and was surprised that am not translated in Hebrew.
Later, miraculously, during the Lockdown, I received an email about such a possibility and the rest is history….
As the Jewish New Year approaches and my novel ‘Book of Rachel,’ Hebrew edition, titled, ‘Sefer Rachel’ is available in Israel, I wish to say – A big “Thank You” and “New Year Greetings” to my publisher Ktzia, friend Shimon for believing in ‘Rachel,’ so that the book is a reality, also for his endless questions, detailing and editing the Hebrew edition, Yontan for translating Book of Rachel, Roni for her article and dear friend Shalva…
– Esther David
Publishing House Gamma, Tel Aviv
Link: https://www.gamaisrael.com/ (Owner Dr. Ktzia Alon)
Editor and Academic editor – Dr Shimon Lev
Translation: Yontan Alon
Content of the Book:
Preface: Shimon Lev
The Book of Rachel – Esther David
(Hebrew Title – SEFER RACHEL)
Food and related items glossary: Dr. Shimon Lev
Epilogue: Dr. Shimon Lev
Between Danda and Dimona – The Story of Bnei Israel Community in India and Israel – Prof. Shalva Weil
Exoticizing the Self: Indianness and Jewishness in the Literary Work of Esther David – – Dr. Roni Parchak
Being an Indian- Jewish Womam – The Mizrachi Feminism of Rachel (Dandkar) and Esther (David)