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Zion Covenant #4
Jerusalem Interlude
Leah and Shimon Feldstein, two Jews in pre-war Europe, face the terrifying truth that they must either escape or perish.
Audio Cassette
First published October 31, 1990
226 people are currently reading
1557 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
201 books1,360 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
May 21, 2012
Jerusalem Interlude continues the sad history set to fiction. It captivates you as always, as the previous books did from the very beginning. Characters that have been with us since the first book like Elise and Murphey, Leah and Shimon, Anna and Theo continue to brave this dark world Hitler brought. New characters are introduced that are vital and show the schemes that Hitler put into play to reach his dark agenda. My favorite characters in this book are Eli Sachar and Victoria Hassan. They are from two different worlds, Eli a Jew studying to be a Rabbi and Victoria a Muslim promised in marrige to Ram Kadar in service to the Grand Mufti Haj Amin...but she is in love with Eli. She battles internaly with the violence of her people, even her own brothers against the Jews, and she must make a decision. In this book we are introduced also to how Poland enters this story and how the riots started there. We see historical figures that we will never forget also, Winston Churchill, Goebbles, British Ambassador Neville Henderson and many more. Each are given a unique voice. We grow to love or deeply hate each one. But most importantly we see history, we see how it unfolded. We often wonder how it could have all happened. Brock and Bodie Thoene show us from the very first book the subtility with which it first began, and then we see how the fires of hatred grew and grew. We often wonder why no one did anything... these books show the twisted and sometimes well intentioned reasons why (though unexcusable). It took me a while to read this one just because it is packed with very heavy, very real emotions that make you think: What if this happened to me? Or if I had to stand up in such a time would I have the courage? Would I have acted differently then these people? But overall I loved this book, and I look forward to continuing this journey in the next one.
March 18, 2011
This is number four in a series of six. The more I read of this series the more I am in awe of the amount of research that had to be done to create these books. I have read many WWII novels but nothing that encompasses the range of these. Gives me a whole new perspective of the politics going on in Europe before the war.
December 30, 2021
Another sad one ... but fascinating because it focuses mainly on Jerusalem in 1938, which is an arena that I haven't often seen explored in histories or fiction about the lead-up to WW2. I liked seeing characters introduced who feature in the Zion Chronicles.
June 9, 2016
Jerusalem Interlude is the 4th Book in the Zion covenant series. I also thought it started slow, Introducing new characters and re-acquainting with prior characters. Elisa and Murphy the predominant story-line in the prior 3 books, are playing a very minimum role, while Leah and Shimon are the main story-line starting after their move to Palestine . Rabbi Lebowitz in Palestine Is trying to get papers for his daughter and son-in-law and their family to move from Poland to Palestine. Theo, Elisa's father is going back to Germany for a meeting with Field Marshall Goering, where he escaped from a concentration camp. In Paris Hershel Grynspan, the son of a Jewish German tailor who has been deported to Poland with his family, Is being set-up by Himmler at Hitlers urging to assassinate Ernst Vom Rath a German officer assigned to the German Embassy in Paris, as a ploy to incriminate the Jewish people in an orchestrated Plot of assassinations and Riots simultaneously in Poland, Paris and Palestine.
As all of these plots are unfolding, Eli-Sachar a Jewish rabbinical student is in love with Victoria Hassan a Muslim woman who have been in love since Childhood. The forbidden love and terrorist attacks involving her half-Brothers and the political and racial unrest surrounding their love makes for a very climatic ending. In my opinion this is the most intriguing book of the series.
As all of these plots are unfolding, Eli-Sachar a Jewish rabbinical student is in love with Victoria Hassan a Muslim woman who have been in love since Childhood. The forbidden love and terrorist attacks involving her half-Brothers and the political and racial unrest surrounding their love makes for a very climatic ending. In my opinion this is the most intriguing book of the series.
May 20, 2015
Amazing series. So well researched and well written. I'm convinced that Bodie and Brock are the perfect team for writing books. It has everything that I love (music and European history) all in one. This series also just gets better with every book! Highly recommended.
February 1, 2025
The focus in this book has shifted from mostly Western and Central Europe to Poland and the Middle East as the Nazi pandemic went viral, as we might describe it today. The historical events are factual, and the authors continue to cleverly weave fictional and historical characters to show and tell the stories.
Leah and Shimon were legally admitted into the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people (because of today’s political situations, I avoid the term “Palestine”) but found, once again, antisemitism and riots. That the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was indeed influenced and aided by the Nazis to stir up unrest and hatred against the Jews is an historical fact. Antisemitism is a horrible cancer that continues to infect and kill in our world today even as this week was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It’s both enraging and heartbreaking to see and hear antisemitic sentiments openly expressed and even accepted by many in my country.
Anyway, back to the book. While chronologically this series comes first, the “Zion Chronicles” was published first, so this book introduces the backstories of some of the characters in that series, particularly in the Jerusalem setting. Rabbi Lebowitz, for example, has a daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Warsaw in this book. Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, 2 of the grandchildren, Rachel and Yacov, eventually come to Jerusalem; here we see Yacov’s birth and the events leading up to the Nazi invasion of Poland.
Meanwhile, Elisa and her family are in England, mostly but not entirely out of harm’s way; London was rife with Nazi agents. Elisa is pregnant and is trying to avoid any news of the conflicts, but Murphy decides to hire a bodyguard after they receive warnings/threats against Elisa’s life.
As I read books like this, knowing what is coming, I wonder how it would have felt to people then who didn’t know. And I compare that to how I feel now, today, seeing and hearing unrest and conflicts all around, but not knowing what the future holds. I’m a realistic optimist, I think, even if that seems a contradiction; I believe that because Earth is populated with fallen, flawed human beings, there will never be perfect peace on Earth. At the same time, I continue to hope for the best.
Leah and Shimon were legally admitted into the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people (because of today’s political situations, I avoid the term “Palestine”) but found, once again, antisemitism and riots. That the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was indeed influenced and aided by the Nazis to stir up unrest and hatred against the Jews is an historical fact. Antisemitism is a horrible cancer that continues to infect and kill in our world today even as this week was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It’s both enraging and heartbreaking to see and hear antisemitic sentiments openly expressed and even accepted by many in my country.
Anyway, back to the book. While chronologically this series comes first, the “Zion Chronicles” was published first, so this book introduces the backstories of some of the characters in that series, particularly in the Jerusalem setting. Rabbi Lebowitz, for example, has a daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Warsaw in this book. Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, 2 of the grandchildren, Rachel and Yacov, eventually come to Jerusalem; here we see Yacov’s birth and the events leading up to the Nazi invasion of Poland.
Meanwhile, Elisa and her family are in England, mostly but not entirely out of harm’s way; London was rife with Nazi agents. Elisa is pregnant and is trying to avoid any news of the conflicts, but Murphy decides to hire a bodyguard after they receive warnings/threats against Elisa’s life.
As I read books like this, knowing what is coming, I wonder how it would have felt to people then who didn’t know. And I compare that to how I feel now, today, seeing and hearing unrest and conflicts all around, but not knowing what the future holds. I’m a realistic optimist, I think, even if that seems a contradiction; I believe that because Earth is populated with fallen, flawed human beings, there will never be perfect peace on Earth. At the same time, I continue to hope for the best.
December 22, 2025
2 ★ // 2❤︎ – Not My Thing
mehhhh, not my favorite in the series. It was good, but we didn't really get to see many of my favorite characters from the previous books. Also, I didn't agree with a lot of the Jewish/Muslim/Arab political stuff and felt like two of the characters probably just became Christians to get married??
WHY IT GOT THE STARS IT DID - I love Leah & Shimon, they are so sweet together and honestly I finished the book for them. They deserved that <33
CONTENT: Much heavier than previous books. 20+ for this book if you pick it up. I'm reading the next book now, and I think maybe you could skip this book if you wanted to??
More bad Nazi stuff/crimes, they call a Jewish woman a whore (she's NOT) and a b***h. mentions of Nazis wanting to rape a woman. Mentions of someone wanting to k*ll himself (he goes as far as to get a rope up, but doesn't follow through) People getting shot. Someone gets impaled and I could have done without that whole chapter *shudders* a lot of war and injuries. mentions of prostitutes and red light districts. A woman does get pregnant before marriage but it's confusing because I think she maybe got a court marriage and then later got a full ceremony?? I was confused. Anyway, I think that's all I remember.
mehhhh, not my favorite in the series. It was good, but we didn't really get to see many of my favorite characters from the previous books. Also, I didn't agree with a lot of the Jewish/Muslim/Arab political stuff and felt like two of the characters probably just became Christians to get married??
WHY IT GOT THE STARS IT DID - I love Leah & Shimon, they are so sweet together and honestly I finished the book for them. They deserved that <33
CONTENT: Much heavier than previous books. 20+ for this book if you pick it up. I'm reading the next book now, and I think maybe you could skip this book if you wanted to??
More bad Nazi stuff/crimes, they call a Jewish woman a whore (she's NOT) and a b***h. mentions of Nazis wanting to rape a woman. Mentions of someone wanting to k*ll himself (he goes as far as to get a rope up, but doesn't follow through) People getting shot. Someone gets impaled and I could have done without that whole chapter *shudders* a lot of war and injuries. mentions of prostitutes and red light districts. A woman does get pregnant before marriage but it's confusing because I think she maybe got a court marriage and then later got a full ceremony?? I was confused. Anyway, I think that's all I remember.
December 23, 2022
I was leaning toward liking this book the best of this series thus far; but the farther along I got, the less decided I was. I liked some of the new characters introduced, but I also felt there were times people did unwise things, which resulted in bad things happening. I also felt this book was quite dark; just so many evil hearts, and thus evil actions, which is probably an accurate representation of the times, but it was becoming a bit much, especially with the "good" characters getting killed off. I appreciated the young Jewish man and his Muslim love both converting to Christianity, but then at the end, there seemed a confusing mixing of Catholicism and Christianity, which has been a concern for me right through this series.
I would give this book three and a half stars, if I could.
I would give this book three and a half stars, if I could.
July 31, 2023
The anger I felt as I finished this book is unspeakable.
November 13, 2018
I've been reading this book for a few months. This is the 4th book in the series and at one level feels a little long b/c we've already been thru SO MUCH with each of these characters--and we continue to meet new (connected) characters with equally fascinating stories. On the other hand, every time I pick up the book, it's engrossing and exciting (sometimes Hitler's parts are a little hard to read). Victoria and Eli's story was just amazing.
So, I'm re-reading this whole series and can see it's going to take me awhile to get thru 5 & 6. Regardless, I am in love with the message, the historical detail and characters. These books are one of a kind.
So, I'm re-reading this whole series and can see it's going to take me awhile to get thru 5 & 6. Regardless, I am in love with the message, the historical detail and characters. These books are one of a kind.
May 25, 2014
By far my least favorite of the series so far. I do not agree with the author's opinion that Jews and the chosen people of God to this day (due to the arrival of Jesus I believe this has changed permanently under the new covenant). But, I am happy to have read the next segment in the continuing saga and learned some new bits of the history of the period and perhaps how it's impacted what still goes on today.
June 12, 2010
I enjoyed the story of Eli and Victoria that was portrayed in this book, Leah and Shimon interested me as well, but, as with all Thoene books, there is at least one character with whom I just can't relate.
June 13, 2012
Lovely to read the background of characters I was familiar with from the Thoenes' other series. Well written and page-turner, as usual.
January 26, 2013
This was an excellent book, sad but held my interest all the way. I would recommend this series of books for history and enjoyment. I hope that part of history is never repeated again.
September 13, 2021
This book is the same as all the others... In that it's so tragic. So frustratingly tragic. You hate evil and you root tirelessly for good, and yet it seems that evil is winning. And yet it isn't. Not where it really matters.
It is gut wrenchingly realistic for the times. These things did most likely happen. The deception will make you want to scream.
Yet, hope is never quite lost. Never quite given up. It still prevails in other ways. Maybe not on the world stage. But in individual lives.
If you're looking for realness, this series and this book is for you.
(SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT)
Nobody wants to help the Jews. Nobody. Nobody will help them. Britain and France cower before Hitler. The reason they won't accept the refugees is because of 'economic problems.' Money over human lives! Fake peace instead of true honor.
The situation of Ernst vom Rath and Herchel is just... You are begging Herchel (am I spelling that right?) to realize what he's about to do, that he's playing right in Hitler's hands, that he's making it worse and not better for his people. And yet he does it. But Ernst still lives! That is, until Hitler sends his personal physician to make sure he doesn't. That was a final blow.
The back story in Jerusalem is interesting. How curious to know the circumstances of the death of Moshe's brother. And how tragic too! The ending is... fitting. Victoria becomes part of the Russian convent, to live out her days as a nun. The last line... "And the two women walked back home along the path where Jesus walked."
Overall, one day I'll probably reread this book ;)
It is gut wrenchingly realistic for the times. These things did most likely happen. The deception will make you want to scream.
Yet, hope is never quite lost. Never quite given up. It still prevails in other ways. Maybe not on the world stage. But in individual lives.
If you're looking for realness, this series and this book is for you.
(SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT)
Nobody wants to help the Jews. Nobody. Nobody will help them. Britain and France cower before Hitler. The reason they won't accept the refugees is because of 'economic problems.' Money over human lives! Fake peace instead of true honor.
The situation of Ernst vom Rath and Herchel is just... You are begging Herchel (am I spelling that right?) to realize what he's about to do, that he's playing right in Hitler's hands, that he's making it worse and not better for his people. And yet he does it. But Ernst still lives! That is, until Hitler sends his personal physician to make sure he doesn't. That was a final blow.
The back story in Jerusalem is interesting. How curious to know the circumstances of the death of Moshe's brother. And how tragic too! The ending is... fitting. Victoria becomes part of the Russian convent, to live out her days as a nun. The last line... "And the two women walked back home along the path where Jesus walked."
Overall, one day I'll probably reread this book ;)
March 17, 2025
This was my least favorite in the series so far for several reasons. 1) I don’t like to bear so much tragedy (not the author’s fault) 2) I found it very emotionally manipulative (definitely the author’s intent) 3) The main character from books 1-3, Elisa, has gone from bold friend and smuggler of children and passports to a wimpy mother-to-be non-character who can’t even listen to the news? 4) I did not like how chopped up the stories were or how short some of the sections were. I would often start a new chapter and have to ask myself ‘now who is Anna/Etta/Rachel?’ 5) I had hoped for at least one happy ending amongst the terribleness. I’m sure there is more horror to come; WWII hasn’t even started yet after all. It’s Book 4 and we still haven’t made it out of 1939.
That being said, it was a thorough lead up to the inevitable events of Kristilnacht. I do not know how historically accurate some of Hitler’s plots were but the situation in British Palestine at that time was eye-opening to me. Also, I had not know about the mass deportation of Polish nationals deported from Hitler’s Germany, nor the simultaneous Polish policies that rendered the Jewish among them stateless. I think I will take a break from the series for a bit. (I also have recently learned there are actually 9 in the series, not just 6, so it may be a bit before I finish. )
That being said, it was a thorough lead up to the inevitable events of Kristilnacht. I do not know how historically accurate some of Hitler’s plots were but the situation in British Palestine at that time was eye-opening to me. Also, I had not know about the mass deportation of Polish nationals deported from Hitler’s Germany, nor the simultaneous Polish policies that rendered the Jewish among them stateless. I think I will take a break from the series for a bit. (I also have recently learned there are actually 9 in the series, not just 6, so it may be a bit before I finish. )
April 8, 2020
This book started of with some uncertainty for me. Could I still be drawn in and carried along as the series progressed? As the focuse shifted to different characters and stories, would it still be as compelling?
The short answer is, "Yes".
Readers still get glimpses of characters they have grown attached to, but with Leah and her husband now in Jerusalem, a whole new canvas is laid out before us. Soon readers are engulfed in a classic Romeo-and-Juliet struggle as a young Jewish man and a Muslim woman secretly meet, pledge their love, and try to defy the world around them.
Meanwhile, Hitler's designs on world domination and destruction of the Jews continues to spread--Poland, France, and Palestine are all as dry tinder before the flames of fanaticism.
I look forward to embarking on the next chapter in this deeply researched, passionate, and engrossing series.
The short answer is, "Yes".
Readers still get glimpses of characters they have grown attached to, but with Leah and her husband now in Jerusalem, a whole new canvas is laid out before us. Soon readers are engulfed in a classic Romeo-and-Juliet struggle as a young Jewish man and a Muslim woman secretly meet, pledge their love, and try to defy the world around them.
Meanwhile, Hitler's designs on world domination and destruction of the Jews continues to spread--Poland, France, and Palestine are all as dry tinder before the flames of fanaticism.
I look forward to embarking on the next chapter in this deeply researched, passionate, and engrossing series.
April 9, 2018
In August 1938 Hitler’s Brownshirts conquer Czechoslovakia. German Jews are deported in cattle cars to Poland, the country of earlier pograms. Other Jews flee to Palestine, the Promised Land of their dreams . . . only to be imprisoned behind barbed wire upon their arrival. Musicians Shimon and Leah Feldstein, two of the “lucky ones,” are allowed to disembark from their rusting ship. Yet even in the Holy City, darkness lurks. The Muslim Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Adolf Hitler secretly join forces to eradicate the Jews from the earth. Is there no place that’s safe for Shimon and Leah? for the esteemed Rabbi Lebowitz and his family? for the Jew Eli Sachar and Muslim Victoria Hassan—in love but separated by the highest walls of religion and tradition? (less)
June 27, 2025
I’m done in. Completely. This book (the whole series) is heartbreaking. So much history mixed in with fictional characters bring to life the struggles, desperation, heartbreak, and agony, of what happened during Hiltler’s reign. Wow, just wow! I consider these books a must read.
One quote that stands out:
“We mortals have a small and troubled view of time, Samuel. If the wicked could have one glimpse of their eternal future, perhaps they would repent.” She shrugged. “And if the righteous could have one glimpse of their eternity with God, they would no longer fear what evil men might do to them in this life. No, I think we might pity the wicked man for the price he will pay for his sin.”
One quote that stands out:
“We mortals have a small and troubled view of time, Samuel. If the wicked could have one glimpse of their eternal future, perhaps they would repent.” She shrugged. “And if the righteous could have one glimpse of their eternity with God, they would no longer fear what evil men might do to them in this life. No, I think we might pity the wicked man for the price he will pay for his sin.”
October 16, 2025
When reading we’re hopeful Leah and Shimon will finally have a life without danger and fear after settling in Jerusalem. We find this will not be the story, tho. There is hostility between the Arabs and the Jews, encouraged by the implanted Nazis who have their own plans for the Middle East. Elisa and Murphy are now in London along with the twins and Elisa’s parents. They are among the few who truly understand Hitler’s ambitions. Their connections with the underground, and past alliances put their lives in danger. This is a great read, very informative about events that lead up to the ability of the Nazis to intervene and conquer.
February 15, 2019
This is the 4th in a series about the struggles the Jews faced in pre-world war 11. Been following several since book one. This book brought in new characters, a Jew - Eli Sachar and a Muslim - Victoria Hassan who are in love and are facing major trials. Also, Shimon & Leah Feldstein who have made it to Jerusalem from Austria but are finding this is not what they expected. Rabbi Lebowitz trying to get his family from Warsaw to Jerusalem. I enjoy learning history in these fictional characters.
August 10, 2021
Following the previous book, Leah and Simon Feldstein arrive in Jerusalem to a city in chaos. It is the time just prior to the beginning of World War 2 but the battle has already begun and been going on for centuries. With Nazi instigators in their midst, there is no chance that the city will be left to its own course.
Many subplots and twists and turns and good follow through with character development. Another exceptional read by the Thoenes. Loved the historical accuracy throughout the book, as is evident in all of their books. I highly recommend this book.
Many subplots and twists and turns and good follow through with character development. Another exceptional read by the Thoenes. Loved the historical accuracy throughout the book, as is evident in all of their books. I highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2020
Amazing book! Bodie Thoene is one of my favorite authors. Very accurate historical fiction. I was totally immersed in the story and the characters. I've read her series from Zion Covenant to Zion Legacy, which covers from the Nazi extermination of the Jews through the escape to Palestine and finally the birth of a new nation of Israel with all the of the Arab nations ready to pounce on them as soon as they were made a nation. I highly recommend this author and series.
December 12, 2025
Bodie Theone writes well; she is engaging, and she does well in her use of imagery to set the mood for a scene. While in book 3 I felt that she went to excessive (unrealistic) lengths to keep certain characters alive, I felt the opposite was true in book 4. I understand why, as she is trying to communicate the darkness of pre war Europe. However, I did not enjoy the violence, and the ending was very sad on some accounts and incomplete on others.
June 5, 2020
Interlude is a fitting word for the pace of this book. A little slower in the buildup, but the climax and falling action is gripping. This felt a little like Romeo and Juliet; two young people from different words that wanted a future together. Interesting to see how Hitler maneuvered his power in Jerusalem.
February 14, 2019
Another one of my favourites in this series - sets up the Zion Chronicles & shows the realities of Jerusalem. I like the perspective change to show the whole world, not just Europe & the obvious Poland setup.
January 9, 2021
This book is one in the series of The Zion Chronicles beginning with Vienna Prelude. Each title has a musical allusion because some of the main characters are musicians. This is a great series and while it's sometimes classified as a Christian series I think anyone can enjoy it.
March 16, 2021
Such a good book. My one complaint - it can be rather slow in the beginning fleshing out characters and scenarios which all seem to be in high crisis mode by the end. I wish it would space out the excitement better! :)
June 22, 2021
The readers are traveled down a difficult road as you are carried along some treacherous paths of evil in the hearts of men who conspired and lied during this terrible time of history. Lives are lost and families are broken. Our main characters Leah and Shimon are still living.
January 18, 2023
Hard to put dowm
This book has.so many twists and turns that keep the.reader glued to tj.pages. in the end,, all the pieces come together like a beautiful melody. Iboof 5 is waiting, amd.my heart is.already.poumdimg.
This book has.so many twists and turns that keep the.reader glued to tj.pages. in the end,, all the pieces come together like a beautiful melody. Iboof 5 is waiting, amd.my heart is.already.poumdimg.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews