Rebecca of Salerno: A Novel of Rogue Crusaders, a Jewish Female Physician, and a Murder

(Paperback)

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This book continues the story of Rebecca from Walter Scotts 1820 novel Ivanhoe.

TheIvanhoebackstory:Jewish women in medieval England do not fall in love with Christian knights like Ivanhoe. Neither do they heal knights from battle wounds. But Rebecca does bothand nearly pays with her life. Rescued by Ivanhoe from being burnt at the stake as a sorceress, she flees from England and the man she loves.

Rebecca of Salerno: In Salerno, Kingdom of Sicily, Rebecca pursues her dreams by attending medical school. Practicing her profession, she defies family pressure to marry Rafael, the man who loves her. But more pressing is the conquest of Sicily by the Hohenstaufens and the arrival of rogue crusaders, both of which threaten Salernos long-standing atmosphere of tolerance. When a rabbi is falsely accused of murdering a crusader, Rebecca and Rafael commit to pursuing justice and protecting the Jewish community.

This story provides fascinating history, as of the medical school in Salerno, where women and menChristians, Muslims, and Jewsstudied together. It also exemplifies the recurring Jewish experience of persecution, search for refuge, and resilience to remake lives.

Rebecca struggles to balance community expectations and traditions with her desire for fulfillmentone of the great challenges facing women throughout the ages.

Reviews

Esther Ermans meticulously researched novel of Jewish life in the Middle Ages brings the fragility of Jewish existence to life. The reader discovers a strong, brave woman who, while pursuing a path to become a healer in the face of great odds, holds on tenaciously to basic Jewish values like the pursuit of justice. . . . a compelling story.
Rabbi Sheldon Lewis author ofTorah of ReconciliationandLetters Home: A Jewish Chaplains Vietnam Memoir

With grace and verve, Esther Erman revives the character of Rebecca, bringing that valiant and resourceful heroine to Salerno . . . [hoping] to leave her memories of England behind. However, she once again learns how expendable her fellow Jews are when faced with antisemitic sentiment.
Michelle Cameron, author ofThe Fruit of Her HandsandBeyond the Ghetto Gates

A rich historical tapestry rife with fascinating characters and an intriguing, page-turning story. Readers will be dazzled by the descriptions of life in medieval Salerno and fall in love with the smart, passionate Rebecca in this satisfying mystery.
Hannah Jayne, author of Truly, Madly, Deadlyand The Girl in the Headlines

Erman deftly weaves a wealth of historical detail into a gripping, fast-paced tale of vengeance, love, and healing . . . very much a novel for our time. Ermans masterful achievement left me feeling moved and inspired.
Juliet Shields, professor and author ofNation and Migration

. . . a superb work of historical fiction. It is everything the genre begs for: romance, intrigue, and a captivating mystery. Set at the end of the 12th century and the dawning of the 13th. . . a lively picture of life for Jews, especially Jewish women, in much of Southern Europe, including colorful and historically accurate descriptions of clothing and food preparation. . . not only an enjoyable read, it is a history lesson for Jews and gentiles alike.
Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, author and freelance columnist

. . . a compelling story of a passionate Jewish heroine solving a murder mystery in the brutal setting of the Crusades. The depth of her knowledge of the customs and language of this period is unsur- passed. A book to be read with relish by lovers of historical fiction.
Neil Kaplan, author of Acquiring Polish Citizenship by Descent

Meticulously researched and populated with a cast of engaging characters . . . Rebecca must pit her intelligence and resourcefulness against the forces of anti-Semitism and misogyny to solve a murder. This historical novel boasts witty dialogue, a fast pace, and an ingenious plot.
Roberta Rich, author of The Midwife of Venice,The Harem Midwife, and A Trial in Venice

Author Bio

Like her heroine, Rebecca, Esther Erman was a refugee. A naturalized citizen, she early on developed a passion for language, which led to her earning a doctorate in language education, writing her dissertation about the Yiddish language, and working with international students on many levels. A multi-published author, Esther now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. When theyre not travelingespecially to be with family in other parts of the US and in Englandshe loves to bake, quilt, and add to her monumental book collection.