In his latest book, *After the Dust and Ashes*, Calev Ben-Dor explores the complex process of finding meaning and hope in the wake of profound grief, drawing on the events of October 7 and the biblical Book of Job. As editor of Fathom and a scholar of modern Israeli thought and Jewish texts, Ben-Dor combines personal reflection, biblical commentary, and literary reportage to offer insight into coping with collective trauma.

Ben-Dor, a former national security analyst and Foreign Ministry policy planner with academic background from the London School of Economics and Yeshivat HaKibbutz HaDati, uses his work to navigate the painful aftermath of recent violence in Israel. The book addresses the challenges faced by survivors, hostages, and bereaved families after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, in which many were taken hostage or lost their lives.

An excerpt from the book describes a moment in Jerusalem shortly after a ceasefire agreement allowed for the transfer of remaining hostages from Hamas to the Red Cross and then to Israel. Ben-Dor recalls an emotional scene marked by public displays of mourning, including a memorial service in Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park organized by Kumu (Rise!), a group founded by families of victims, hostages, and survivors. At the memorial, families shared testimony and solidarity, emphasizing the deep wounds left by the violence but also their resilience.

Yonatan Shimriz, founder of Kumu and brother of a hostage killed in late 2023 during Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations, addressed both the hostages and the broader community, pledging that the current generation would work to heal and rebuild a state affected by deep internal and external challenges.

Ben-Dor reflects on how these events coincide with Jewish holidays marked by both sorrow and celebration. He invokes the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who distinguishes between optimism and hope, arguing that while optimism presumes an improving world, true hope requires courage in the face of uncertainty and hardship. This nuanced understanding of hope serves as a thread weaving through Ben-Dor’s narrative of grief and recovery.

Throughout the book and the moments it captures, Ben-Dor grapples with the paradox of holding grief and joy simultaneously—a concept inspired by the poetry of Yehuda Amichai and the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. He recounts attending gatherings where communal grief and celebration converged, highlighting the emotional complexity experienced by individuals and families affected by ongoing conflict.

*After the Dust and Ashes* aims to serve as a guide for those seeking to live with loss and trauma, offering a framework for hope amid unresolved pain. Ben-Dor’s work will be discussed publicly on October 7 at the Begin Center in conversation with Sarah Tuttle Singer, with tickets available to the general public.