Summary

Get Back to Happiness – “When the destruction of Israel commence[s]” (3), elderly Isaac Bloch struggles to come to terms with the idea of moving into an elder-care facility. At the same time, Isaac’s grandson Jacob and his wife Julia argue with the rabbi that runs the school attended by their son Sam about whether Sam is guilty of, and should be punished for, writing down a list of words associated with racism and prejudice (including “the n-word”). Narration includes references to rituals the family has lost; their relationship to well-known political figure Irving Bloch (Jacob is Irving’s son); and Julia’s desire to resolve the situation so the family could “get back to happiness.” Also at stake: the celebration of Sam’s bar mitzvah, which is apt to be canceled if the situation is not resolved. Jacob leaves...