Two books to consider

Isaac Singer's "Enemies a Love Story" enwraps the theology of a Vishnuesque God of the Jews in a story of love and survival in mid-century New York. When I read this, years ago, I'd thought of Singer as little more than a writer of pleasant stories, but this book is staggering. He is the rabbi of the 20th century.

Out of print is Eric Maria Remarque's "A Time for Love and a Time for Death," the fractals of life in war. Only one person I've recommended it to has been able to read it -- and simply because it is so unbearable. I believe it has relevance to the events of the day. If you've seen the movie, don't be put off. No movie could ever hope (or should ever try) to equal the writing, but this one doesn't even equal the film. If you read German fluently, I recommend the original.

Movie: "Come And See" I don't know where you'll get a hold of it, perhaps Evergreen Video in New York--they will ship a rental copy to you. This is a requiem by a Byelorussian for his people after the Nazi invasion of their country. This may or may not be the time to watch it. It is harrowing. If not the greatest movie ever made, it is certainly among the greatest and certainly the greatest war movie.