Gaelle Lehrer Kennedy

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David Bennett, a young British aristocrat arrives in Jerusalem to visit his cousin, Jonathan. The year is 1967. David is feeling isolated so Jonathan introduces him to the chief rabbi of the city, who he trusts and honors, to seek advice. Reb Eli, listens to his torment and brings him in touch with the experts and eventually Tamar, an enchanting prostitute that will help him overcome his problem. From that moment on, the two of them become one.

This is a love story set in the city of Jerusalem when the six days war strikes. The author was living in the city during those times, as a native 20 year old woman and has first hand experience from the war and the city itself. This gives her the opportunity to paint the picture of the city’s population in every detail.

Jerusalem has gone through a lot. Many have tried to conquer her over the centuries. Some have succeeded, others not. All this fuss around the holy city has been depicted in this book in many different ways. Gaelle Lehrer Kennedy claims that the characters were based on real people, her friends and acquaintances at the time, which means that there are actually so many different kinds of people in that small portion of the earth. A representative population of this world, one would say.

Even so, the author manages to provide a love story, that is set in a challenging environment and succeeds in every way. The story will stay in the reader’s mind for time after the last page is turned!… (más)

David Bennett travels to Jerusalem in 1967 on a journey to find himself. His cousin Johnathan has been studying Judaism in Jerusalem and believes that his mentor, the chief rabbi, Reb Eli will be able to help David with his troubles. David arrives in Jerusalem planning only to stay one month, however, he is quickly taken in by the beauty of the city and Reb Eli's ways. When Reb Eli suggests that David visits a local brothel for help with his women's troubles, David is taken aback. However, when he finally decides to visit, David meets Tamar and his troubles seem to vanish. Meanwhile, Reb Eli's widowed daughter, Sarah is feeling depressed and out of place without a husband or child within her Orthodox community. Sarah longs to love once again and when a mysterious Englishman enters her home, Sarah's senses are awakened. As David and Sarah begin their new journeys in romance, the Six Day War breaks out in the Middle East and forever alters their lives.

Recreating the biblical story of Tamar in a more modern setting, Night in Jerusalem has a fairy-tale quality to it. I immediately felt immersed in the city of Jerusalem, from the golden glow of the city, to the quaint diners and the people of many religions mingling together. I easily took to David and Sarah's characters as lost souls as well as Reb Eli's comforting character. I was surprised at Reb Eil's suggestion for David's troubles as well as how sensuous many of the scenes were. Along with learning the tale of Tamar, I learned many things about Jewish Traditions and life in Jerusalem. The intricacies of Shabbat seemed beautiful and I wish I could have heard Sarah's singing. The Six Day War was something else that I learned of, I had no idea that this tragedy or the reasons why it had happened. The most interesting aspect of this story is the interwoven tale of Tamar told through David and Sarah. Their mystery to one another kept the story suspenseful and their romance kept me intrigued. Overall, an interesting portrait of Judaism in 1960's Jerusalem interwoven with an updated biblical story.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (más)