After a long hot day, our class was so excited to sit in an air conditioned room and listen to Canadian Israeli author of “Who By Fire”, Matti Friedman. After reading passages from it during our classes in Cleveland, meeting him in person was so exciting. We learned about his background, like being born in Canada and making alliah at 17. After living in a kibbutz he joined the army and served in South Lebanon protecting the border. Matti went on to be a journalist and documentar.
In his book, Matti shared Leonard Cohen’s journey through Israel, and the relationship between his music, Israeli singers, and Israel as a nation.
While talking to him, Matti remarked on writing a book like he is sitting on his couch and talking to an old friend, and this friendly and smooth demeanor definitely showed through his beautiful writing. Matti shares how Leonard came to Israel in the middle of the Yom Kippur war almost like a beacon of hope, providing a stark contrast for Israel after the depression and loss from the war; after 6000 people died and towns and cities were broken, fear was at an all time high in Israel. This diaspora rock star then showed up after disappearing into a buddhist monastery, like a light at the end of the tunnel.
The story beautifully highlights Leonard Cohen’s struggles with his relationship to Judaism, and it is not only powerful but also relatable. He was going on the same journey all Jews go on; finding your place in both Israel and Judaism. What does being a Jew mean to you? Through his book you can see this struggle and growth in that pivotal time. But, Cohen never changed his name and never debated changing “Cohen” like many singers did during this time and even now.
Hearing Matti talk gave me a ubiquitous perspective of how intertwined peoples stories are. Both Matti and Leonard used music growing up to connect with others. They both identify with being both Jewish and connecting with Israel and where that balance lies. But we also see how intertwined our stories are. The power we feel from heading our favorite music. How we cope with fear in times where everything seems hopeless. What it means for us to be Jewish. We are all connected and can all relate to the feelings presented in his book. Through both listening to Matti and reading his book, we all learned more about this surreal moment between Cohen, the Yom Kippur war, and what it means for us.