The 28th of Iyar

Emanuel Feldman's "The 28th of Iyar" offers readers a unique perspective on one of the most significant events in modern Israeli history through the intimate lens of an American family living in Jerusalem during the Six Day War of June 1967. The book takes its title from the Hebrew date corresponding to June 15, 1967, when the war concluded, providing a day-by-day chronicle that captures both the tension and triumph of those historic days.

Feldman, who served as a rabbi and community leader, brings a distinctly personal dimension to the historical narrative. Rather than approaching the Six Day War from a military or political standpoint, the book focuses on the lived experience of civilians caught in the midst of existential uncertainty. The journal format allows readers to follow the progression of events as they unfolded, without the benefit of hindsight that typically shapes historical accounts written after the fact.

The strength of this work lies in its immediacy and authenticity. By presenting events as they occurred, day by day, Feldman preserves the atmosphere of anxiety and hope that characterized those tense weeks in May and June 1967. The period leading up to the war was marked by escalating tensions, with neighboring Arab states mobilizing forces and issuing threats against Israel's existence. For those living in Israel at the time, particularly in Jerusalem, which was divided between Israeli and Jordanian control, the situation created profound uncertainty about the future.

Feldman's account captures the daily realities of life during wartime, from the practical concerns of rationing and air raid sirens to the deeper existential questions about survival and faith. The journal documents how ordinary people responded to extraordinary circumstances, balancing fear with determination and uncertainty with resilience. Through the eyes of an American family who chose to remain in Israel during this critical period, readers gain insight into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the conflict that often get overshadowed by military histories.

The Six Day War transformed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, resulting in Israel's capture of the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The war lasted from June 5 to June 10, 1967, though the period of tension and preparation extended for weeks beforehand. Feldman's journal encompasses this broader timeframe, providing context for understanding not just the six days of active combat but the atmosphere of crisis that preceded them.

The book also serves as a document of a particular moment in Jewish history when communities around the world watched anxiously as Israel faced what many perceived as an imminent threat to its existence. The sense of solidarity and concern that unified Jewish communities globally during this period forms an important backdrop to Feldman's personal narrative. His observations reflect the broader emotional landscape of the time, making the journal valuable not just as a family record but as a historical document.

Jerusalem holds special significance throughout the narrative. The city's divided status before the war, with the Old City and its holy sites under Jordanian control and the western portion under Israeli sovereignty, created a unique situation for residents. The reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War represented one of the war's most dramatic outcomes, and Feldman's position as a witness to these events in the city itself adds particular weight to his account.

The journal format naturally creates a structure that propels the narrative forward, with each day's entry building upon the previous one. This approach allows readers to experience something of the uncertainty that characterized the period, as each day brought new developments and no one could predict the outcome. The format also permits Feldman to capture fleeting impressions and immediate reactions that might be lost or sanitized in a more traditional historical account written with the benefit of distance and reflection.

"The 28th of Iyar" fills a particular niche in the literature about the Six Day War by offering neither a military analysis nor a political treatise but rather a human story set against historic events. For readers interested in understanding how major historical moments are experienced by individuals and families, Feldman's journal provides valuable insights. The book stands as a testament to the power of personal narrative in illuminating the human dimensions of warfare and historical change, making distant events feel immediate and accessible through the details of daily life during extraordinary times.