Mazel Tov

 by Margot Vanderstraeten

This book tells the story of the friendship that develops between a young student in Antwerp and an orthodox Jewish family who hires her as a tutor for their children.  Through the period covered by the book, the narrator describes the life lived and the customs and traditions practiced by the family.  Having had no contact with Jewish people until then, many of these seem very strange and often very restrictive to the author.  Nevertheless, as time goes on,  she develops a friendship with the family, in particular the elder daughter and son, as well as the parents, and an understanding of their way of life.   As the story follows the various events which the family goes through during the author’s time with them, we learn a great deal about life in an orthodox  Jewish family.

“Mazel Tov“ is by no means a work of literature.  It is written in a straightforward, simple style which makes it a pleasant, easy read.  It  is certainly  very informative and the reader learns a lot about this particular group of people, who live such separate lives in the middle of the bustling city of Antwerp.  

Christine

November 2024