New Books Network Maya Arad, "The Hebrew Teacher" (New Vessel Press, 2024)
Nov 3, 2025
Maya Arad, an Israeli-born novelist and linguist based in California, explores the rich themes of her new book, highlighting the lives of three Israeli women struggling with immigration and cultural identity. Each character faces unique challenges—Ilana confronts a post-Zionist colleague, Miriam grapples with family tensions in Silicon Valley, and Efrat navigates the complexities of social media with her daughter. Arad insightfully reflects on the impact of recent events on the expat community and the ambivalence in literature, urging readers to explore the nuances of belonging.
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Women, Immigration, And Generation Gap
- Maya Arad grouped three novellas around shared themes of women and immigration to create a cohesive book.
- She also recognizes a second common thread: the generational gap running through all stories.
Personal Tie To The Mother Character
- Maya Arad identifies personally with Efrat, the mother in the third story, because of her own immigrant parenting experience in the U.S.
- She describes the intensified generational and technology gaps between immigrant parents and American-born children.
Hebrew And Humanities In Decline
- Arad links declining readership and humanities enrollment to the precarious position of Hebrew and language-based professions.
- She frames the Hebrew teacher's marginalization as part of a broader cultural shift away from language study.
