Many of my stories in A Human Rights Odyssey emphasize the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.  In the chapter describing my visit to the USSR, I certainly describe the plight of many of the refuseniks I met (loss of jobs, government harassment, confiscation of Jewish books, incarceration in labor camps etc.)  Nevertheless, many of them maintain their passion for Jewish learning and affirming their Jewish identity. Many of them yearn for the day that will leave the Soviet Union and settle in Israel.  In my second book, The Secret of Redemption, I point out that many of the refuseniks I met did in fact have a happy ending.  They eventually immigrated to either Israel or the United States and lead productive lives.  

In the State Prison of Southern Michigan, my weekly meetings with the Jewish inmates enabled them to overcome the corruption, the tension, and the violence which is a normal part of penitentiary life.   The Chanukah celebration portrayed in the novel is a story of joy and hope.

The chapter on 9/11, which is very dark, portrays hope in the very last section.  The congregation is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Rabbi Levin’s rabbinate.  The fear and deep loss that was experienced on September 11, 2001 and the weeks after, gave way to joyous celebration, not only for Rabbi Levin but for the entire congregation.

After all the adversity that Rabbi Levin faces throughout the novel, the last chapter of the novel ends the story on a note of hope.  Twenty organizations get together and organize a meaningful and well attended interfaith Thanksgiving program.

My stories combine realism with a sense that there is also light usually at the end of the tunnel.  As I would say in Hebrew, Acharei Mot Kedoshim Emor—after the death, speak holy things.