The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family

Ruben restates a letter of recommendation for Ben-Zion Netanyahu that was forwarded to him by Dr. Morse. The letter is from Rabbi Dr. Chaim “Hank” Edelman, the President of Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. The letter extols Ben-Zion’s academic successes, namely his dissertation on “crypto-Jewry of Inquisition Era Iberia” (54) and highlights the political work he has been doing for the New Zionist Organization, all without ever allowing it to hinder his academic duties. The letter extends the President’s apologetic sentiments at being unable to keep Ben-Zion on staff due to budgetary issues and then fully recommends him for Corbin University. Moreover, if there are any holes in his CV, it is because of Jewish oppression in Palestine, much like there were holes in Einstein’s or Hannah Arendt’s CVs because of the Nazis.

Ruben introduces the fact that the state of Israel was founded 10 years ago and that there are many different cultures within the Jewish diaspora, e.g., Jews from Germany, the Pale of Settlement, Hasidic Jews, etc. He uses this information to introduce the differences between his parents and upbringing to that of his wife Edith’s. Ruben’s parents are working, middle-class Americans and observant Jews.