Winds over Jerusalem ─ The Story of Rae Landy, Pioneer Nurse of Hadassah

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.