Just as Arthur Levy returned to Poland, I return to New York. For me, so many generations removed from my immigrant ancestors, New York resonates deeply, as opposed to Germany or even Israel. Arthur's father was born in Germany; mine in New York.
I'm also reminded of another example, which is not nearly as emotionally or personally or historically laden: Georges Duroy's entrance into Paris to find his fortune. I lack monetary aspirations, but intend to find my fortune nonetheless: in the guises of someone special, someplace special.
I can already see myself living there, being content.
I am doubly diaspora'd, living here in Florida (and neither in Miami nor its lesser cousin, Boca Raton). But I do not see myself as in a diaspora within a diaspora: New York is my Levant. AB Yehoshua may be a smart man, a respected writer -but has he heard of our Moyshe Leibl? Gabriel Preil? Even Philip Roth? If he had lived in New York Yehoshua would not have said that Jews in galut can only be Jews if they live Ha'eretz.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(i removed the last post because i couldn't edit my comment and i made a few typos. moving on.)
ReplyDeletei feel like i've already told you this before, but really: as a jew, and a human being, new york is the only place i've been that has ever really felt like home. moving here was only natural, a return to my roots, being where i need(ed) to be.
you may not have quite the same instinctual reaction i did, but give yourself a few days to settle into it, to get used to the masses of human beings and the noise and the dirt and the ridiculous amounts of beauty. i do, however, think you'll acclimate pretty quickly and make a place for yourself here. plus, you have a pretty awesome guide to help you along. :]