Perspective

The Gates of November by Chaim Potok is written by an ordained rabbi who has a solid reputation for writing best-selling books. His books, written about Jewish lives, have won many awards. Russia was a big part of Potok's world as he was growing up in New York. His parents kept current with the politics. In the 1970s, the author lived in Philadelphia, which was known for its activity helping free Soviet Jews. This was how he became familiar with the Slepak name. After the couple came out of exile, Potok's wife suggested that they go to Russia to meet them. They did this, and it gave deeper insight to the couples plight, so Potok felt very connected.

Years later, when asked to write a book about the Slepak family, Potok carefully listened to all the recordings, accounts, and dug into the archives to make the book historically...