There's a reason the Exodus story has inspired so many Americans. It's a narrative of hope.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
People across the world are yearning to be connected to stories of hope.
During his brilliant campaign, President Obama wove a powerful narrative about the American we all hope for. And that hope was grounded in a very powerful reality: President Obama's own inspiring life story.
When I was asked to come over to the States, I thought to myself, 'What the Americans are very good at doing is creating stories with strong movement and plots that carry the movie as it goes along.'
So the America I came to know growing up was filled with all the excitement and possibilities found in living the American dream.
I was surprised how relevant the Moses story was to contemporary American debates - from our ongoing debate about values, to our role as champions of freedom, to our place as a country that welcome immigrants.
America is a beacon of hope for the world. And yet we are in so much trouble.
The problem is Jewish-American fiction that always ends with assimilation back into the community.
For generations, America has served as a beacon of hope and freedom for those outside her borders, and as a land of limitless opportunity for those risking everything to seek a better life. Their talents and contributions have continued to enrich our country.
I thought, if ever there were a time to write a book about hope, it's now.
The metaphor of Exodus is one that has dogged the Jews from the outset. Their very success attracts resentment.