The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

Luna, Gabriela Siton’s mother, is the first beauty of Jerusalem, but her remarkable beauty did not guarantee her happiness. Her marriage turned into a disaster, and her daughter never felt maternal love, while Luna's relationship with her own mother was completely devoid of warmth. As a child, Gabriela hears from her grandmother that the women of the Ermosa family are burdened by a curse: the men who marry them will not love them. After her mother's death, Gabriela is overwhelmed by despair and emptiness. It is important for her to piece together the stories of four generations, where the same mistakes are made, to uncover the secrets and lies of the past, in order to break the vicious circle of unloved and learn to love and forgive. This impressive family saga—a vivid portrayal of the customs and manners of the Sephardic community—unfolds against the backdrop of the dramatic events that so richly populate Israeli history of the twentieth century. Sarit Ishai-Levy's debut novel became a bestseller not only in Israel—it has been translated into many languages, and a popular series was made based on it in her homeland.