Winds Over Jerusalem: The Story of Rae Landy, Pioneer Nurse of Hadassah

by Debbi Perkul

Winds Over Jerusalem provides a rare, eyewitness account of Jerusalem 1913-15, a critical period in history, through the lens of two American Jewish women. It adds insight and understanding to the complex relationship that still exists between American Jews, Israel and the United States government. On a brisk winter day in 1913, Rae Landy boarded a ship headed to Palestine. Her final destination was Jerusalem, a desolate city filled with disease and poverty, languishing under the indifferent rule of the Ottoman Empire. Along with nursing partner Rose Kaplan, her mandate was to set up a district nursing system under the auspices of a new Zionist women's organization called Hadassah. The two nurses braved tremendous hardships to bring hope and better health to the people of that ancient city. Arriving in Palestine full of high aspirations and ideals, the nurses were rapidly jolted to reality when faced with people's deplorable living conditions and mistrust. They were shocked to see that many diseases were treated with magical spells and amulets. As the nurses slowly carved out a place for themselves in the city, gaining the loyalty and then the love of their patients, they enjoyed a lively social life with the many colourful personalities that lived in and visited Jerusalem. The sudden eruption of World War I was catastrophic for Palestine, particularly in Jerusalem, and brought a dramatic halt to their way of life. When Rose had to leave the country at the end of 1914, Rae was all alone, facing the onslaught of famine, starvation, and the never-ending misery of the people. *** "I would highly recommend Winds over Jerusalem for a synagogue library. It would make a good gift book for anyone going into the medical profession and it is also a good choice to buy for a young adult." --AJL Newsletter, November/December 2017 [ Jewish Studies, Gender Studies, Hadassah, Palestine Studies, History]

254 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2017

Reviews

[Judy Chessin]

Rae Landy was my great grandmother's sister. I can't wait to read this book!!!!

[Perlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a little time to get started, but then became very engaging! This biography of one of the first two Hadassah nurses in Palestine introduced me to someone I knew nothing of, and was glad to meet. The author did a nice job of interweaving letters, ephemera, documents, and historical accounts of contemporaries to create a vivid picture of Rae Landy's work in Palestine.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique, interesting account of an American nurse who worked in Jerusalem providing medical services to the Jewish residents there during the year or two leading up to WWI. Her letters and memories of life in that city were vivid and immersive, especially those describing the locust invasions and the anxiety that suffused the city with the outbreak of war, months before the Ottomans even entered it. Invaluable historical source for the time, as it reveals the attitude of many of the Zionists long before Israel became a state - not just towards the Arabs, which was generally unfavorable, but towards their mission to become a cohesive political group. Their zeal and grit was impressive, whatever else one thinks about their motives.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Not only does the author - the great-great-great niece of Rae Landy - tell the story of her 'pioneering' aunt, but she also gives a good look into the early years of Hadassah when it was known as "Daughters of Zion, Hadassah Chapter" in New York City and headed by Henrietta Szold, its founder.