The Jewish Press: Interview
Roy Neuberger: The Future Calls For 2020 Vision By:Fern Sidman Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Jewish Press: 2020 Vision represents a departure from your previous works, which were non-fiction. What made you decide to write a novel about messianic times?
Neuberger: What I learned from my previous books is that people love a story that is honest and real. That’s the reaction I got to From Central Park to Sinai, which is about how my wife, Leah, and I found God and the Torah way of life, as well as to my second book, Worldstorm, a history book that utilizes stories to make a point. Sometimes a story is the best way to convey reality, and the reality of our present world is indeed a most frightening one. In 2020 Vision, we take a close and intimate look at the grim realities of living in an era marked by global terrorism and how our crazy world could actually be transformed into a world of peace through the power of faith in God that lies within us all.
Your book speaks about the fears that plague many people concerning a nuclear or terrorist attack. How did you develop the plot of the book and what was your personal mindset as you were writing it?
I imagined the situation Leah and I would find ourselves in after a massive terror attack – and believe me, I don’t think anybody has trouble believing such a thing could happen. I asked myself, how would we really feel? How would we deal with it? What would our actions be? How would we escape with our lives? I also asked myself how Hashem would help us, because anyone who is religious knows that God is there every step of the way in our lives. Throughout my life I have seen countless instances in which the Hand of God has guided me and helped me, and when I went through difficult times and things worked out, I knew it couldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for God’s intervention.
2020 Vision has frequent flashback sequences, in which you take the reader from a fictional story to biographical instances that reflect your own childhood or adolescence. Why did you include these, and what impact do you hope they’ll have on readers?
As you go through life, especially in times of crisis, you often think about previous experiences and vivid and detailed instances of past events come flooding into your head. We all have sensory perceptions, such as certain smells that remind us of something from our youth, or a visual perception of something that reminds us of a place we’ve been or something we’ve seen.
I recently heard a story of a 65-year-old man who used to live in my old neighborhood. He now lives in California and brought his wife back to his old building on East 88th Street near Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. When he got into the elevator he remembered the smell – the same smell of the elevator that was present fifty or sixty years ago. I thought back on my own real life experiences, and those who read the book will know I explored these events with honesty. I really feel these flashbacks create a connection between the readers and myself – a personal intimacy that is so important.
Did you consult rabbis or rabbinical sources when writing this book?
In the 34 years since we’ve become religious we’ve been blessed to know and learn from many holy rabbis and teachers. What I learned from them I hope has been instilled into this book. Once the book was written many rabbis and distinguished Torah authorities were kind enough to go over it, and they made invaluable suggestions such as changing or adding certain things. Anyone who reads the book will see the many endorsements from eminent rabbis and an eminent rebbetzin.
How do you think young people, teenagers in particular, will react to the book and what lasting impression would you want them to take away from it?
People of all ages will enjoy this book, learn important lessons of faith in Hashem, and be drawn closer to Hashem’s holy Torah. I think young people will gain many new insights. The action-oriented plot will appeal to younger people. Adolescents are likely to be idealistic, frightened by the world and seeking answers to the problems they see around them. They need chizuk. I think 2020 Vision shows that if a person believes in God in an active way – at every moment calling on Him to help and direction in life, feeling His closeness, clinging to Him and the Torah – that person can be saved from the dangers life presents.
Do you think the messages in the book would resonate with non-Jewish readers?
Some of the characters in the book are righteous gentiles who help us on our journey. While we’re certainly not asking non-Jews to become Jews, we know that everyone has a responsibility under the seven Noahide laws to believe in God and to live under the rule of the laws that are appropriate for each person. Any sensitive, thinking person – Jewish or not – should be concerned about the state of the world and looking for hope and a realistic way one can expect God to help us.
Right now, evangelical literature addressing the so-called end of days is at the height of popularity. According to our rabbis, at the time our exile comes to an end there will be a universal redemption for the world. Everyone who believes in God, who respects the Jewish people and our God-given mission, and who has a conscience, is eager for that moment to arrive. I think non-Jews will appreciate that concept as well. |
| email: Roy@ToSinai.com | © 2008 Roy S. Neuberger |
