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Almaty 08.06.2005
 A meeting in the "Rimon" JCC Literature Club took place the other day. This time the community's elder and a brilliant narrator Lubov Koretskaya told the visitors (they were so numerous, that chairs were hardly enough) about David A. Harris, an American writer. His four books on Jewish problems became bestsellers in many countries and were translated to about 20 languages. They present accumulated and organized data of Jewish life all over the world, including the facts that have not been publicized.
For example, his book "Expectations and Concerns. Reflections of an American Jew" comprised of several essays contains the following information:
 "In Iraq the mere receipt of a letter from a Jew in Palestine [pre-1948] was sufficient to bring about arrest and loss of property."
Or: "Miraculously, in 1951 about 100,000 of us got out, thanks to the extraordinary help of Israel, but with little more than the clothes on our backs.
Now there are no Jews left to speak of; nor are there any monuments, museums or other reminders of our presence on Iraqi soil for 26 centuries.
Do the textbooks used in Iraqi schools today refer to our one-time presence, to our positive contribution to the evolution of Iraqi society and culture? Not a chance. Fully 2,600 years are erased, wiped out, as if they never happened. Can you put yourself in my shoes and feel the excruciating pain of loss and invisibility?
I am a forgotten Jew."
He also stresses that Jews, unlike some other nations do not bring religion to solve political issues: "But we had something more to sustain us through the difficult process of adjustment and acculturation: our immeasurable pride as Jews, our deeply rooted faith, our cherished rabbis and customs, and our commitment to Israel’s survival and well-being."
 The author produces so many strong and powerful arguments, that I would quote them all. But there are several books, and it is impossible to pass their expression in this short article. It is worth noting that two of his books - the above mentioned and "The World of Jewry" can be found in the Republican Jewish Library.
David Harris's writing help to understand Jewish problems. The author pays much attention to international and interconfessional issues. He is rather experienced in this sphere. David A. Harris graduated from a historical department of Penssylvania University and used to work at Hopkins Institute as a teacher of Jewish issues. In 1990 he is the executive director of the American Jewish Committee. The position allowed him to travel all over the world and see the Jewish communities of different countries. Some time before in 1974 he even visited the Soviet Union and taught history in Moscow and Leningrad schools. But he was forced to leave the country three months later for sympathizing with Jews willing to move to Israel.
 In a chapter of his "Expectations and Concerns. Reflections of an American Jew" the author confesses that though he calls himself a forgotten Jew, he does not wish his descendants to be the same. His essay is concluded with an optimistic appeal: "I may be a forgotten Jew, but my voice will not remain silent. I will speak out because my ancestors deserve no less. I will speak out because I refuse to be a forgotten Jew."
The narration aroused interest and was followed by stormy discussion. The guests were most enthusiastic about an idea of arranging a video conference with David Harris.
Gauhar Nauryzbayeva
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