Why would anyone read “a collection of personal letters written over a span of fifty years by an unexceptional, young woman who graduated from an Israeli teacher’s college and spent most of her life in America selling real estate?” Because Happy New Years is a hypnotic epistolary novel, from the pen of Israeli/American author Maya Arad. And because Arad’s new work has been hailed by critics as a literary miracle, that reaches deep into the heart of an unforgettable character as it braids events that shaped the culture of both Israel and America.
With a heart full of dreams, young, beautiful, vivacious Leah Moskovich is bored to tears with her teaching assignment in a remote village in the Negev. Never cowed by circumstance, things seem to have “a way of working themselves out” for her. The next assignment, teaching Hebrew to American students, is Leah’s wish fulfilled. Sadly on arrival in Boston, Leah discovers the position has been filled. Unruffled and positive to the extreme, Leah befriends Ruth, the woman who was hired in her place. Ruth offers Leah temporary shelter and helps to secure part -time work teaching Hebrew at the local synagogue. The two become lifelong friends. Life’s a charm!
By way of connecting with her Israeli colleagues, in 1967, Leah sends the first of fifty letters, each penned at the end of the year, to her friend, Mira, about her “goings on” in America. At times, Leah includes a personal postscript for “Miraleh” and always a meaningful ‘Shana Tova’ salutation to other friends, sharing her deep love for Israel.
In the 1970s, Leah’s correspondence brims with joy, especially becoming Mrs. Zuckerman, marrying a “born and bred American” assuring her friends she is not a “yeredet” who has abandoned her homeland, where she hopes to return one day. Her options narrow with the birth of two sons and even fewer choices after a ten year marriage ends in divorce.
Taking misfortune in her stride, Leah updates her single life in the 1980s. An uber mom, she takes pride in her sons who speak Hebrew, and complains about the steep cost of health insurance in America, humorously adding. “I don’t clip coupons just yet.” Ever resourceful, Leah creates fascinating projects. One is a new-year-cards exchange between students, parents and grandparents. Once a customary tradition for Israelis, Leah names the project Shanim Tovot translated Happy New Years, in English.
Her correspondence continues into the 1990s with a move to California, a new job with a real estate agency. Now forty, Leah has two goals, financial independence and “hope for a magical year.” At fifty she finally “hits the jackpot” with Len Grossman, “a man who likes to take care of me,” extraordinarily sensitive warmhearted, and characterized by infinite generosity. Leah wallows in luxury --European vacations, a trip to Israel, a jam-packed life, bathed in happiness until suddenly the “world goes dark.”
Don’t be sidetracked by the novel’s seeming simplicity in plot with a naïve character. Author Arad brilliantly hides the complex reason Leah writes her yearly letter. The novel will grab you “hook line and sinker” and never let go.
Many more Shanim Tovot in 5786 to readers everywhere.