A Tale of a Ring

The ills of the world, Jewish magic, torments of body and soul, and physical pleasure in various sexual identities are all woven into this novel. It is based on the scandal of “Zvi Mandel”, an organization that traded in women between 1870 and 1930 and, at its height, garnered enormous political and economic power. In old- world Europe, between Shedlitz and Danzig, the mother of Rayna- Chaya, an epileptic girl, has consulted with healers and rabbis and, with their blessing, has made a gold ring that has healing qualities. As a result, others wish to seize the ring from its rightful owners, and it changes hands many times, leaving a trail of energy- and calamity- in its wake. The ring travels from Europe to Argentina with Esther, a young girl sent there to work in the homes of Jews. However, during her journey, a new profession is forced on her- prostitution. This will also be the fate of her daughter, Esperanza, whose name- meaning `hope` in Spanish- cannot change the course of her life. And it is Esperanza who, years later, in Israel, reveals to her daughter the secret of the terrible dynasty she was born into.