I have been trying to finish this book for several months. The concept, the lives of two 3-generation families in Jerusalem, one Jewish in West Jerusalem and one Palestinian in East Jerusalem, if done well, should be be very interesting.. While the author, Lis Harris, had a good idea in mind, I am disappointed in the way she carries it out.
The backgrounds of the two families are very different. The Jewish family has members who were involved directly or indirectly in the Holocaust. They live in a nice area in Jerusalem. They are Chabad Orthodox do not represent the majority of Israelis, who are more secular.
The Palestinian family has members who left their homes in 1949 after the borders of Israel were determined and it became a state. It was immediately attacked by neighboring Arab/Muslim countries trying to destroy it. While many Palestinians remained, about 700,000 left for various reasons including being told by their leaders to get out of the way until the war was over and then they could go back. After Israel won the war, that was not possible. The Arabs remained became Israeli citizens.
Harris does not mention the 875,000 Jews were evicted from their ancestral homes in Arab countries after 1949. They fled with what they could carry, having to lose most, or all their assets in the process. None of them, like the 95 million refugees worldwide since World War II, are still considered refugees. She does not talk about the Jews from Arab countries.
There is no doubt the Palestinians have suffered since then. IN JERUSALEM talks about actions taken by Jews and Israeli government that proved harmful to Palestinians. The Palestinians, and the other hand, are always portrayed as a victims.
However, when relating some of their problems, she does not tell the reasons for the changes. For example, the dividing wall between east and west Jerusalem and the checkpoints were installed following multiple attacks by Palestinian groups and individuals into Israel from the West Bank. Since they were installed, the number of deaths and injuries from these attacks has been reduced dramatically.
Before 1949 there was a large Jewish population in East Jerusalem. Hadassah Hospital, Hebrew University, government, and religious sites. were located there. She doesn’t write about how the Palestinians, under Jordan control, took them over after that war ended. When Israel was able to return in 1967, they discovered synagogues have been used as barns, tombstones removed to pave roads, etc. Harris does write about Israeli destruction of Palestinian records. Nor she say who owned the property before 1948, who is responsible for providing services in Jerusalem, why the Arabs refused to agree on permanent boundary lines, or why Jordan did not create Palestinian state when it controlled the West Bank.
Harris seems to have decided what she wanted the focus of her story to be and then come up with examples to support it. Learning to speak Henrew or Arabic and about the historical background wouid have been helpful. ( )

"In Jerusalem" by Lis Harris is a powerful and moving memoir that explores the author's experiences living in Jerusalem during a time of intense political and social upheaval.
The book follows the author's journey as she moves to Jerusalem with her family in the early 1990s. As she settles into her new life, she becomes increasingly aware of the complex political and cultural tensions that define life in the city. She delves into the lives of the people around her, including Palestinians, Israelis, and Orthodox Jews, and offers a nuanced and empathetic perspective on their experiences.
One of the book's standout features is the author's exceptional writing style. The prose is lyrical and poetic, and the author's descriptions of the city and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative. The book is a testament to the author's skillful use of language and her ability to capture the essence of a place and time.
The characters in the book are also well-developed and engaging. The author's interactions with the people around her are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and she offers a range of perspectives on the complex issues facing the city.
Another notable feature of the book is the author's ability to provide historical and cultural context for the events unfolding around her. She explores the history of the region, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of religion in daily life, and offers a nuanced and informative perspective on these issues.
Overall, "In Jerusalem" is a beautiful and thought-provoking memoir that offers valuable insights into the complex political and social issues facing the region. The author's exceptional writing style, engaging characters, and insightful commentary make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the region and its history.