Many individuals are both religious and attracted to the same gender or both genders. While a few believe that you cannot both have a love for God and a love for a member of the same gender, many believe that the two are completely compatible. After all, God doesn’t make mistakes.
In Daniel M. Jaffe’s Yeled Tov, main character Jake Stein, an observant Jewish teen, is almost sixteen and discovers two things: that Leviticus has the line that many conservative religious believers tout as justification for their poor treatment of those in the LGBTQ+ community and that he’s attracted to men.
A Home at the End of the World is both one of my favorite novels and movies. Yeled Tov reminds me of Michael Cunningham’s work (with of course some big differences, Cunningham’s main character doesn’t much think about his sexuality at all). Both Jaffe’s work and Cunningham’s work are moving pieces that should be read – by everyone.
About Yeled Tov
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Lethe Press (April 18, 2018)
As he’s about to turn 16 in the mid-1970’s, Jake Stein notices a prohibition in Leviticus that never caught his eye before: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination.” This discovery distresses Jake, an observant Jewish teen, because he’s recently been feeling increased attraction to other teen boys and men. He’s even been engaging in sexual exploration with his best friend. In an attempt to distract himself, Jake joins his high school’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank, but falls in love with the romantic male lead, obsessively fantasizing about him. Jake feels lonelier than ever.
The next year, while a freshman at Princeton University, Jake falls for his handsome roommate, is beset by serious temptations, and engages in a traumatic sexual encounter with a stranger. Seeking help from God, Jake tries to alter his desires, even dates a young Jewish woman in the hopes that she can change him, but to no avail. Jake concludes that God could never love an abomination like him, so he attempts to prove his faith by ending his own life.
After he’s saved by his roommate, Jake receives unexpected support from doctors, family, and friends, some of whom have been suspecting his secret. With their help, Jake explores a different way of thinking about the rules of Torah and himself, and begins to consider that he might actually be a yeled tov, a good Jewish boy, just the way he is.
Praise for Yeled Tov
“Jaffe writes in a polished prose style…locating Jake’s conflict in the particulars of Judaism and Jewish culture, while also presenting a story that will feel relatable to a wide audience…. An empathetic story of faith and desire.” —Kirkus Reviews
Praise for previous works
“Jaffe is a marvelous storyteller.” –Congregational Libraries Today
“Jaffe has a particular gift for capturing the complicated emotional currents swirling around coming out.” —Out in Print
“Jaffe is unquestionably a gifted writer with much to say in a voice that is rarely heard.” —Xfactor
Purchase Link
Amazon
About Daniel M. Jaffe
Daniel M. Jaffe is an award-winning, internationally published fiction and essay writer. His novel-in-stories, THE GENEALOGY OF UNDERSTANDING, was a finalist and honorable mention for the Rainbow Awards; and his novel, THE LIMITS OF PLEASURE, was a finalist for a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award. He is author of JEWISH GENTLE AND OTHER STORIES OF GAY JEWISH LIVING, and compiler/editor of WITH SIGNS AND WONDERS: AN INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY OF JEWISH FABULIST FICTION. Also, Daniel translated the Russian-Israeli novel, HERE COMES THE MESSIAH! by Dina Rubina. Read more at www.danieljaffe.com.
Thanks for being on the tour!
Many thanks for taking the time to read my novel, Yeled Tov. Much appreciated!