Rubble Children by Aaron Kreuter

Zionism, and its relationship to the Jewish community, has probably never been more in the media than it has since the horrific attacks on October 7^th, 2023. Superficial mentions of Zionism tend to assume that all Jews are Zionists, and gloss over the racist history of the ideology, that grew out of 19^th century Europe, when ethno-nationalism and white supremacy were the prevailing mindsets. What often gets missed is the diversity of thinking on the subject of Zionism, non-Zionism, and anti-Zionism within the Jewish community.

In Aaron Kreuter’s Rubble Children, we see these conflicts play out in a Jewish community in Thornhill, north of Toronto. The stories centre around a reform synagogue, Kol B’Seder, and its members, from the children to the elders. Through their experiences, we see a community in a constant tug-of-war between security and peace, grappling both with the legacy of the Shoah, the most heinous act ever visited on a people, and the legacy of the Nakba, the violent dispossession of Palestinians from their land.

The seven-and-a-half stories in this collection exist in an atmosphere reminiscent of post-9/11 America, where “you’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists.” With that sentiment hanging over Kreuter’s characters, they struggle to define their identities, not only as individuals, but where they stand in their community and in relation to Israel and its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

In the story “The Streets of Thornhill”, a Palestinian academic is invited by one member to speak at Kol B’Seder and offer her perspective, one which differs from many of the congregants. Adamant Zionists within the synagogue object, one even labeling her a “terrorist.” It’s a situation that brings about some soul-searching among the shul’s board of directors. We see in this story, and in the others in this collection, how those who have been conditioned to hate and fear Palestinians are doing so because of historical traumas that have been manipulated for political ends. They are not unworthy of our sympathy. Kreuter understands the nuances, the complexities, the weight of history and the fruit born from the propaganda his characters have been exposed to their entire lives.

Kreuter understands the nuances, the complexities, the weight of history and the fruit born from the propaganda his characters have been exposed to their entire lives.

The title story, “Rubble Children”, follows a group of young girls as they form a club based on their obsession with the Holocaust. Their club is so exclusive (men and goyim need not apply) that the narrator even questions her own right to be a member, as her family came to Canada before the Holocaust. Matters get out of hand when a gentile wishes to join, demonstrating that her knowledge of the Holocaust is greater than that of some of the Jewish members. It becomes a fascinating examination of identity, in-group/out-group dynamics, and how young Jews in Canada see themselves and their place here, and in the world at large. After attending a conference about genocide, their fascination with Holocaust history changes shape. The conference covers not only the Holocaust, but other great atrocities, including those perpetrated against Indigenous peoples, African-Americans, and Palestinians. How can these kids continue to call themselves “Rubble Children” from the safety of a Toronto suburb when so many children are forced to live among rubble today? They are forced to make a decision about how they view themselves and their history, and how it will affect their future.

In the final story, “A Handful of Days, a Handful of Worlds”, Kreuter imagines peace and an era of sincere truth and reconciliation. Despite what many will say, it’s not hard to imagine a peaceful coexistence, as Jews and non-Jews had been neighbours and friends in historic Palestine for far longer than Zionism has existed. In Kreuter’s alternate history, we see the pains of reconciliation — true reconciliation — not lip service and token gestures. For some, it hurts to come face-to-face with the atrocities they have supported or felt that they’ve benefited from.

A profound love of Jewish culture and identity undergirds these stories.

A profound love of Jewish culture and identity undergirds these stories. Similar to the stories of Nathan Englander, Kreuter explores the humanity of his characters through the lens of their Jewish identity, and all the various permutations that make up that identity. Too often, politicians and the media speak of the Jews as though they’re monolithic, when the truth is they are a diverse community with diverse points of view.

Although Rubble Children is an important book given the current climate, it’s Kreuter’s characterization and storytelling abilities that make it a must-read. These are stories of growing, healing and understanding, powerfully told and skillfully wrought. History, culture, religion and politics play a part in each of these stories, but at the end of the day, it’s the humanity of the characters, and the vagaries of their nature that makes Rubble Children such a compelling read.

A must-read. These are stories of growing, healing and understanding, powerfully told and skillfully wrought.

Aaron Kreuter is the author of four books, including the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award shortlisted poetry collection Shifting Baseline Syndrome. He lives in Toronto and teaches at Trent University.

Publisher: University of Alberta Press (July 2, 2024)
Paperback 8″ x 6″ | 224 pages
ISBN: 9781772127720

Jeff Dupuis

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Jeff Dupuis is a writer and editor living in Toronto. He is the author of The Creature X Mystery novels and numerous short stories, which have been published in The Ex-Puritan and The Temz Review among others. Jeff is the editor, alongside A.G. Pasquella, of the anthology Devouring Tomorrow: Fiction from the Future of Food, which will be published in 2025 by Dundurn Press.