![]() ![]() No longer struck by poverty, or lacking in education these Jews were given limitless possibilities by society. Jews, whom finally freed from restrictive legislation that had held them back in Eastern Europe, struggled to redefine their identity in a country that allowed them the freedom to be whatever they wanted. Reading Potok’s book I was struck by the conflict felt by first generation American Jews. All of his siblings either became or married Rabbis and he, himself, was ordained by the conservative Rabbinut. Potok is clearly inspired by his own life, as he, himself, grew up in an orthodox family. However, this dream brings him into contact with the secular world, a world shunned and derided by both his family and community. Potok's narrative centers around the story of a young boy, Asher Lev, whom whilst raised following the strict edicts of the Chasidic world, dreams of becoming an artist. Fortunately, this moment did not last very long as I realised I was not a young artist capable of transmitting beauty onto paper, but rather a deluded reader who had been swept up in the world of Potok. Incidentally around the same time I also attended University of Arts London Freshers Fair and so felt properly justified in my pretensions to join the artistic world. After reading Chaim Potok’s novel, My Name Is Asher Lev, I suddenly felt inclined to run to my local stationary store and stock up on the art materials necessary to paint a landscape of Jerusalem, or perhaps a self-portrait. ![]()
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