If we were to ascribe Danny’s book to a certain category, maybe tragi-comedy would be the most appropriate.  Let me start with the least obvious part, the “tragic” one:  Danny is more Jewish than most Jews, but he is not ‘a Jew’.

By far, Evangelicals are the best friends of Israel. As a Jew, one feels more comfortable with them than with our fellow ‘paisanos.’ Their uncanny and unceasing devotion to the Jewish State of Israel, clears any doubts that we may have on that matter, and you could say, without doubt, that Danny is the epiphany of this friendship.

This brings us to the question of why students, in their embryonic state (appropriate metaphor) of lack of discipline, constant attack on their peers, diverse personalities and uncanny wit, could become such marvelous citizens, with kids of their own.

Danny used various strategies to control them, mainly his sense of humor, a little help from his colleagues at School, and his passion for the dream of going to Israel. He does not mention asking for help from their parents, which is noble in itself.

I think Danny uses his loyalty to Jesus as an excuse for not becoming a Jew, at least a Reform Jew. Then he would have to recognize the ‘enfant terrible’ that lies within himself, and get married, and have kids like these, which would make his life “miserable”:  It is better to have raised a thousand kids from his friends, and to have a thousand homes around the world, where he is always welcome.

The structure of the book is in ‘crescendo, ´ starting with his best comic situations and ending with his heart opening, which speeds up the pace from page 54 on. Please do not jump there. 

The whole book is a journey of marvelous human beings, with its ups and downs, and moments of extreme doubts and crisis, solved by letting it be, and putting  it in the hands of God, with eyes wide open to see the signs on the road.

I have many more things to say, but I do not want this prologue to be longer than it deserves, and I hope I got you interested in reading it, for those of you absorbed by the Internet, so as not to miss this special occasion for joy and meditation, such as this short book brings.

By Ricky Ronis