A link to order a paperback or Kindle version (in amazon.com) or e-book of " In the Sands of Sinai- A physician's Account of the Yom Kippur War."


Watch Dr Brook's presentation about his experiences in the Yom Kippur War on YouTube.

Dr. Brook is a speaker on the Yom Kippur war for the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, USA.

The Yom Kippur War was launched in 1973 in a surprise attack by Syria and Egypt. This Arab-Israeli war posed the most serious threat to the existence of Israel in modern history. Even though Israel was eventually able to achieve a military victory, the country paid a steep price, both in lives lost and in the citizenry’s confidence in their leaders and themselves. Deep within the psyche of the nation, this conflict shattered conventional wisdom that the country was invincible.

This book recounts the author’s personal experiences as a battalion physician during that time. Expecting to heal his soldiers’ physical combat wounds, Brook unexpectedly must address his soldiers’ psychological battlefield trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It describes how he coped with his soldiers’ medical and psychological issues, the daily struggle of survival in the battle zone, and everyone’s growing anxiety. Through the lens of one participant, the reader can experience the resourcefulness exhibited during the time of war and the struggle to preserve one’s humanity in the midst of it all. In unvarnished details from the mundane to the catastrophic, he describes his perspective of a war that shaped his own life, and his nation's fragile identity.

Pictures of the events described in the book are shown below.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Appreciation notes following Dr. Brook's presentations


An appreciation note from the Cultural and Israel Program Director at the Jewish Community Center in York Pennsylvania following Dr Brook's talk on May 5, 2014.

Dear Dr. Brook,

In all of my years in presenting speakers here at the York JCC, never has anyone held the audience in such rapt attention as you did.
We are all deeply appreciative of your life experiences and the message you presented in such a wonderful way.
Thank you so much for sharing your story -- and that of Israel and those who put themselves in harm's way.

Sincerely,

Linda Seligson

Cultural and Israel Program Director


York Jewish Community Center

2000 Hollywood Drive | York, PA 17403



An appreciation note from the Israel Program Director at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Manhattan, New York, following Dr Brook's talk on May 19, 2014

Dr. Brook,
Thank you very much for such a meaningful and inspiring event.

I knew it would be great, but I didn't realize how great. Everyone came up to me that night and afterwards and told me how meaningful and moving your talk was, and how much they learned about the war which they thought they knew.

I wish you all the best and thank you again for such a great experience that will not be forgotten.

L'Hitraot

Dan Adler
Israeli Programs Director
Temple Shaarai Tefila 
Manhatten , New York, 10075



An appreciation note from Rabbi Larry RaphaelCongregation Sherith Israel, San Francisco following Dr Brook's talk on April 25, 2014


Itzhak...Thanks so much for your wonderful presentation. Everyone thought very highly of it .
Again, thanks.

Larry RaphaelSenior Rabbi

Congregation Sherith Israel
2266 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
rabbiraphael@sherithisrael.org


An appreciation note from Rabbi Hauer, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation, Baltimore, following Dr Brook's talk on Dec 7, 2013

Dr. Brook:
Thank you again for your wonderful and valuable presentation last night.  It was informative and insightful.  The feedback was excellent.  You are an inspiring person!
We have made a contribution in your honor to Beit HaLochem.
Please feel free to use us as a reference for future presentations.

Kol tuv!!

Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation,
Baltimore, Maryland, 21215
mhauer@bjsz.org



An appreciation note from Rabbi Vaisberg, Temple Emanu-El , Edison New Jersey, following Dr Brook's talk on Oct 11, 2014

Thank you for coming here to speak last week, people thought that your presentation was fascinating and really appreciated your coming here.

Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg M.A.R.E., M.A.H.L.
Temple Emanu-El
100 James Street
Edison, NJ, 08820
rabbivaisberg@edisontemple.org 


An appreciation note from Susan J lafer,  President, Florida Central Hadassah, , following Dr Brook's talk on April 19, 2015

Thank you for your participation. Our membership loved hearing from you and I was thrilled.

Susan J Lafer
President, Florida Central Hadassah 
The Womens Zionist Organization of America
3118 Causeway Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33759
SLafer@hadassah.org




An appreciation note from Rabbi Richard Spiegel, Etz Chaim Temple , Thousand Oaks, California,  , following Dr. Brook's talk on May15, 2015.

Thanks you so much for your recent appearance at Temple Etz Chaim to speak about the Yom Kippur War. Your message was very powerful and you truly inspired all of us who heard you.
I hope we will have the opportunity to hear you again-perhaps to hear about your experience as a throat cancer survivor.

Rabbi Richard Spiegel
Etz Chaim Temple
Thousand Oaks, California, 91360
rabbi@templeetzchaim.org




An appreciation note from Rabbi Michele Paskow, Congregation B'nai Emet, Simi Valley, CA, following Dr Brook's talk on March 6, 2016

Thank you so much for coming to our synagogue on Sunday evening and sharing your experiences and insights on the Yom Kippur War.  You gave a very interesting and moving presentation.  I look forward to reading your book. 
I sent in the money collected for the FIDV with a note explaining that it was collected from your speaking event.

With much thanks,    
Rabbi Michele Paskow
Congregation B'nai Emet, Simi Valley, CA

michmich805@gmail.com


An appreciation note from Julie Newburg, Hadassah Northeast, Boston MA, following Dr Brook's talk on May 1, 2016
Thank you so much for giving Hadassah Northeast your time yesterday.  It was very powerful to hear your story and learn about the Yom Kippur War from your unique perspective.  I believe that everyone walked out of the room feeling moved about this important part of Jewish and Israeli history.  
We feel privileged that we got to meet you and learn from you.
 Sincerely,

Julie Newburg
Managing Director Hadassah Northeast Hadassah
The Women’s Zionist Organization of America
1320 Centre Street, Suite 205, Newton Centre, MA  02459
T  781.455.9055   JNewburg@hadassah.org



An appreciation note from Monte Maline,  Temple Emanuel Kensington Maryland Brotherhood Board following Dr. Brook's talk on January 20, 2017 

Dr. Brook,
On behalf of the Temple Emanuel brotherhood, I wanted to pass on our thanks and appreciation for your visit last Friday. It was a terrific talk - and I think you could see that we were all listening with rapt attention to your every word. It was instructive, and your personal narrative could not have been more compelling.
Thank you again, and I look forward to reading your book.

Monte Maline
Temple Emanuel Brotherhood Board Kensington Maryland 

montemallin@gmail.com





An appreciation note from Marlene Hollander Program Director, Tiferet Bet Israel, Blue Bell, PA following Dr. Brook's talk on February  5, 2017

Dr. Brook, 
Thank you very much for coming and sharing your amazing story! The congregants who attended were so delighted with everything you had to say. It was a wonderful program! Again, many thanks!

Marlene Hollander
Program Director and Youth Advisor
Tiferet Bet Israel
Blue Bell, PA 19422
programdirector@tbibluebell.org

programdirector@tbibluebell.org

www.tbibluebell.org



An appreciation note from Rabbi Sariel Malitzky, Congregation Ohr Torah, Highland Park, New Jerseyfollowing Dr. Brook's talk on February  5, 2017

Dr, Brook,
Thank you so much for the outstanding presentation last night. It was absolutely fascinating, interesting, and really inspiring as well.
I began reading your book last night and I could not put it down.

May you continue in good health to engage and inspire audiences all over the world.

Be well,

Rabbi Sariel Malitzky
Congregation Ohr Torah
Edison - Highland Park, NJ
sariel.malitzky@gmail.com
http://ohrtorah.net/ 


An appreciation letter from Rabbi M. H. Berkowitz, Bnai Istrael Congregation, Rockville Maryland. October,25  2019. 



An appreciation note from Bet El Hebrew Congregation, Alexandria, Virginia. January 12, 2020.

Dear Dr. Brook,

Thank you so much for your presentation at Beth El today. 
I was moved by it, as were members of our congregation. As someone observed there was not a pin drop to be heard in our social hall.

You conveyed so meaningfully what it was like to be in in the Yom Kippur war and, as a physician, how the war impacted the soldiers. Of course, you also spoke about the war’s impact on the civilian population. What a high percentage of casualties for such a small country. My takeaway is that we should engage in war only as a very last resort. We pay a very high price for it. 

My very best wishes to you and your family,

Ron
     
Ron Sturman
Bet El Brotherhood Vice President
rgsturman@msn.com
(703) 820-7864
(703) 801-8552 Cell


An appreciation note from John CableChicago Loop Synagogue, Illinoisfollowing Dr. Brook's presentation on September 24, 2020.

Shalom Dr. Brook.  I am one of the many fortunate individuals who was blessed to hear your stirring talk on the Yom Kippur War earlier this week in a zoom session for the Loop Synagogue in Chicago.

Words cannot adequately express how deeply moved and inspired I was by your affecting words.  I’m a tough, stoic cookie who rarely displays my emotions, but even I was deeply stirred by your moving narrative.  Anyone who was not so moved has no heart.

You are a true mensch who instills such pride in being part of such a sacred heritage.  As such, you are owed a huge debt of gratitude: Therefore, thank you for your service both in the IDF and the US Armed Forces, as well as all you have contributed to the medical world.

I’m sure this time of year is not easy for you, as it conjures up all sorts of horrific memories from the Yom Kippur War.  But hopefully you can take solace in the knowledge that you and your comrades in arms have bequeathed such a noble legacy, befitting of the best of the Jewish people.
G’mar Hatima Tova,
John Cable

                    drjhcable@aol.com


Young Israel Shomrai Emunah of Greater Washington 4/23/23

Thanks so much for your very educational and inspiring presentation, Dr. Brook.  I particularly appreciated your perspectives about dealing with PTSD in the field and fighting cancer being similar to fighting a war.

Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum and  Bob Levi 
YISE, Adult Education  
blevi@yise.org

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