Commander of the Exodus

Yoram Kaniuk, acclaimed for his inventive novels and hailed by The New York Times as a "brilliant novelist," brings his storytelling prowess to the realm of nonfiction with "Commander of the Exodus." This powerful work centers on Yossi Harel, a modern-day Moses who defied the British Mandate's blockade to lead over 24,000 Holocaust survivors to Palestine, defying closed doors around the world. Yossi Harel's leadership in four expeditions between 1946 and 1948, particularly the iconic voyage of the Exodus, left an indelible mark on history, becoming a beacon of Zionism and a symbol of the unyielding human quest for a home. Yoram Kaniuk presents this compelling narrative with grace and sensitivity, focusing on the human stories behind the historical events. He pays tribute to Yossi Harel's selfless motivation, driven not by politics or personal glory, but by the heartrending sight of orphaned children in Europe.