Golem creation is a dangerous undertaking, but so too is writing books about golems. Both activities require total immersion and can entail the creator’s own destruction. I have managed to emerge unscathed from the lengthy and arduous process of molding what has finally become this book only because of the ongoing support of mentors, colleagues, friends, and family. They prevented me from being crushed by my own creation, and it is to them that I owe this book.
At the Hebrew University, Ruth Ginsburg and Shlomith Rimon-Kenan initiated me into the academic world and challenged me to read carefully and deeply. The gift of their intellectual mentorship and personal friendship still nourishes me to this day. At UC Berkeley—where I first began to think and write about the golem as a figure of war—I had the fortune of engaged and supportive advisors whose work continues to enrich my own. Robert (Uri) Alter unfailingly backed my intellectual pursuits and shared his wealth of knowledge about Hebrew literature and S. Y. Agnon in particular. Chana Kronfeld’s invaluable and generous feedback on my work has not only greatly enhanced my writing but also provided me with a role model of passionate mentorship and rigorous scholarship. Anton (Tony) Kaes’s Weimar film seminars at Berkeley shaped the way I think about the (moving) image, and I am grateful to him for innumerable thought-provoking conversations, for his savvy advice, and for his help with the book’s arguments and title. I am also grateful for the stimulating intellectual environment that other faculty and students at Berkeley provided, in particular, Michael André Bernstein, Daniel Boyarin, Yael Chaver, Naomi Seidman, Kaja Silverman, Naomi Brenner, Katra Byram, Lital Levy, Noam Manor, Sabrina K. Rahman, Allison Schachter, Shaul Setter, and Zehavit Stern.
At the University of Michigan, I have been blessed with welcoming chairs and exceptional colleagues to whom I could turn for advice. Deborah Dash Moore always had her door open and helped me navigate the academic publishing world. She also provided valuable comments on portions of the book. In addition to branding “golem studies,” Geoff Eley engaged my work and offered his friendship and support. Jonathan Freedman has shared my fascination with all things on the borders of Jewishness, providing sharp feedback and heartening advice. Mikhael Krutikov has been an amazing resource on Yiddish culture, taking an interest in my work and offering incisive feedback on chapter 2. The erudite Shachar Pinsker provided crucial references and shared his insights into the writing process. Rachel Neis believed in me and in the project from day one. I cannot thank her enough for her brilliant feedback, her willingness to answer calls at all times of the day (and night), and her keen sense of humor, which has kept me afloat. Anita Norich has been the finest mentor a young faculty member could ever hope for. She guided me through every aspect of the writing and publishing process, commenting on numerous drafts of the project. Her encouragement, wisdom, and warmth have made Ann Arbor feel more like home.
Other colleagues at Michigan have contributed to this project, and I feel fortunate to work in their midst. Levana Aronson, Kathryn Babayan, Carol Bardenstein, Kerstin Barndt, Sara Blair, Sigrid Anderson Cordell, Deirdre de la Cruz, Elliot Ginsburg, Gottfried Hagen, Doron Lamm, Christi Merrill, Piotr Mikhalowski, Joshua L. Miller, Johannes von Moltke, Regina Morantz-Sanchez, Ellen Muehlberger, Yopie Prins, Anton Shammas, Scott Spector, Jindrich Toman, and Jeffrey Veidlinger all offered helpful advice and many words of encouragement. Eitan Bar-Yosef, a visiting fellow from Ben Gurion University, has been a valuable interlocutor and celebrated important milestones with me.
My year as a fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies, under the energetic leadership of Jonathan Freedman, was influential for the formation of this book. It was there that I had the mental space to reconceive the project and the opportunity to workshop my writing. I thank my cofellows Lois Dubin, Harvey Goldberg, Kathy Lavezzo, Tatjana Lichtenstein, Jessica Marglin, Ranen Omer-Sherman, Meera Schreiber, Andrea Siegel, and Orian Zakai for their intellectual honesty and inspiring remarks. Laurence Roth went beyond the call of duty to provide me with perceptive feedback on chapter 4; Jennifer Glaser was a shrewd interlocutor on all matters of American Jewish culture; Lisa Silverman helped me untangle a knot of theoretical issues.
Colleagues at other institutions generously read my work and supported my endeavors. I thank Brad Prager for his many kindnesses and insightful feedback on chapter 1. Steve Choe and Joel Rosenberg generously allowed me to read their own manuscript drafts. Ilana Pardes’s work has always been a source of inspiration for me, and I am grateful for her feedback on my Agnon materials. Zoe Beenstock wisely commented on the prospectus, and Ofer Ashkenazi has been a helpful resource on all matters of German cinema and German Jewish culture.
Many other programs, institutions, and archives have made the research for this book possible and even enjoyable. The Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies generously supported my research on German cinema and Paul Wegener. I am grateful to the Berlin Program 2007–2008 cohort of fellows, and especially to Freyja Hartzell, for their feedback and cheer. I also thank the patient and helpful archivists and librarians at the Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin, the Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt am Main, and the YIVO Archive in New York. The immensely knowledgeable Raphael Weiser of the National Library at the Hebrew University assisted my research on S. Y. Agnon’s German period. A summer grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities enabled me to conduct archival research in New York. A 2015 semester of research leave for junior faculty at the University of Michigan allowed me to complete the manuscript.
Throughout my studies and research across three continents, I have enjoyed the continuity of lasting friendships and intellectual exchanges. Catherine Rottenberg has been my pillar of strength and love, supporting my endeavors from afar and always finding the time to comment on my work. Yosefa Raz and I have shared an incredible journey from Jerusalem to Berkeley (and back), and I am forever grateful for her keen eye, wise comments, and steadfast friendship. Na‘ama Rokem has been an enthusiastic “partner in crime,” always ready to read, comment, and collaborate: the field of German-Hebrew studies has greatly benefited from her intellectual generosity. Naama Hochstein, Avia Pasternak, and Sharon Tamir have stood by my side for decades now, taking a keen interest in my work and well-being. In Ann Arbor, Zarena Aslami, Ilana Blumberg, John Carson, Dan Cutler, Uljana Feest, Mark Jacobson, Christi Merrill, Polly Rosenwaike, Yael Stateman, Daphna Stroumsa, and Cody Walker have extended their kind friendship and support.
Several research assistants and editors have diligently helped me bring this project to completion. I am grateful to Alexandra (Sasha) Hoffman and Yaakov Herskovitz for their energetic research skills and for uncovering many hidden gems in the Yiddish press. Nadav Linial assisted me with his eye for detail and probing observations. David Lobenstine has been my most ardent critic and enthusiastic supporter, helping me mold this book into its current shape. I cannot thank him enough for his brilliant editorial work and for helping me develop my style as a scholar. I am also grateful to Polly Rosenwaike for her careful editing, elegant style, and speedy delivery.
At NYU Press, my editor, Jennifer Hammer, believed in this project and offered invaluable advice and support, making sure that I wrote the strongest book possible. It has also been a pleasure to work with Constance Grady, Ulrike Guthrie, Dorothea S. Halliday, Andrew Katz, and the entire marketing and design team, and I am grateful to Jennifer and the press for the smooth and conscientious process from submission to publication. The book’s reviewers gave up precious time to carefully read the manuscript, and I thank them sincerely for their insights and helpful suggestions. Parts of “S. Y. Agnon’s German ‘Consecration’ and Miracle of Hebrew Letters,” Prooftexts 33, no. 1 (2013): 48–75, are reprinted in chapter 3 with the kind permission of Indiana University Press Journals.
My immediate and extended family have tolerated my absences and appreciated my commitment to this project. I thank Janet, Ed, Nick, Alan, and Brenda for their loving support and interest in my work. My German family—Andrée, Werner, Ludwig, David, and Tamara—welcomed me with open arms and supported my research endeavors in Germany. My sister, Sarit, has been my intellectual role model and devoted ally, ready to offer words of wisdom and constant encouragement. My mother, Shuli, has spoiled me rotten by always agreeing to read my work and never failing to note my achievements. I am also grateful to Eli, my father, for not allowing me to kvetch and for listening, instead, to the arguments of the book. Whenever needed, he also filled the role of technical and research assistant, forever available and helpful. My parents’ abiding love, support, and involvement have accompanied this project from day one, and I therefore dedicate the book to them with profound respect.
Amalia and Guy are younger than this book and yet so much wiser. They have inspired me to tell better stories and imagine different endings. After long days at my computer, I could look forward to their laughter. My deepest gratitude goes out to Russell, the most dedicated reader of all. This book bears the imprint of your careful attention, poetic sensibility, and punning wit. And even when you claimed to be my golem, toiling through endless drafts, you knew that in fact you resembled Rabbi Loew, always there to share in the wonders of creation.