The Genizah at the House of Shepher, by Tamar Yellin a novel that is infused with genealogy, history and family dynamics, within the State of Israel, both past history and modern history.

The story’s main human character is Shulamit Sepher, an Englishwoman and Biblical scholar, and her journey and return to Jerusalem, which came about through her uncle contacting her, asking her, urgently, to return. Shulamit’s father went into self-imposed family exile when he moved to England. When Shulamit returns she is made aware that there is extreme family discord regarding a Code-X (an ancient document and scroll work of the Torah), which was discovered in the Genizah or family attic. A Genizah is a depository for sacred documents, scrolls, books, Bibles, etc., and can be an attic in a synagogue, or in a home. From appearances it seems to have been there for decades, smuggled back by Shulamit’s great-grandfather, Shalom, upon his return after searching for the “Lost Tribes”.

This brings us to the character named Gideon, who claims he is from the tribe of Dan, and he wants Shulamit to steal the Code-X for him. She becomes engrossed by him, and his illuminations give her faith in his words and actions. She believes what he has to say, and believes on blind faith.

Herein lies the crux of the story in which the Code-X seemingly becomes the primary character in The Genizah at the House of Shepher. This Code-X has its own life, and we see how its illuminations brings family upheaval, intoning itself in both negative and positive aspects upon the family members. From greed to sheer awe over the fact that the Code-X has existed in the family attic, to reverence, this artifact has its grips on the family, breathing good and evil within the family structure.

To tell you more of the story, would be to give away important facets of The Genizah at the House of Shepher. I recommend you read it and decide for yourself, how it applies to you, or how you perceive the importance of it.

The chapters alternate between past and present, and the characters, and can at times seem confusing, but if one reads the book carefully, they will find the pieces fitting together in the Shepher/Sepher clan. The book is filled with intrigue and family dynamics, history and vivid and textured word images that fill our senses. Tamar Yellin’s ability to weave a family tapestry is strong, and the threads of familial relationships within the background of ongoing discords in the State of Israel, itself, is blended exceptionally in this first novel.

The Holy Land is ever present in the forefront of The Genizah at the House of Shepher, and is a metaphor for the past, the present and the future, and a metaphor for the Holy Land and its power to enhance or diminish one’s faith. Tamar Yellin describes Jerusalem with each of the five senses, and with an unseen sixth sense, and we feel as if we are there, within the stifling heat and harshness of family and of landscape. Shulamit, herself, learns from her travels. We see her ascent towards unwavering faith in the unknown begin to deepen. She no longer acts totally out of responsibility to carry on familial history, but acts out of an unseen force or power. We see her return to the Holy Land as a return to finding Self, and a return to unwavering faith.

This sweeping family saga that is entitled The Genizah at the House of Shepher, is well-defined with characters we come to like, and characters we come to dislike. Yet, even in those we dislike, we can understand their humanness, and understand the depth of their choices and emotions. The landscape of Israel is dominant, and breathes its essence through our pores, through fantastic word-paintings.

Bravo for this warm and insightful first novel! I am pleased to own and have read it.
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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