A haunting voice, a forgotten legacy, and a golem waiting to wake.
Welcome to ADAM, a bi-weekly serialized historical fantasy rooted in Jewish mysticism, folklore, and history. Each installment reveals a new chapter in the unfolding tales of three Jewish women living during three different moments of history. In this chapter, I introduce a historical incident that ignited what is known as the Great Revolt in Palestine, a period of time that lasted from 1936-1939, and is one of the precursors to today’s conflict. This required a lot of research, and I attempt to present the truth in a fictional narrative, placing the characters in an important moment in history. My goal is to be as unbiased as possible and present history through a human lens. If you’re just joining us, welcome! You can catch up anytime using the full Chapter List. If you’re back, I’m so glad to have you here! You can start reading below.
If you’re curious about the inspiration behind ADAM, this article shares how the story came to be and why I’m telling it one chapter at a time. Thank you so much for reading and being part of this journey — it means the world to me.
I’d love to know what you think so far. If you have thoughts, questions, or favorite moments, drop a comment below — I welcome the conversation and am so glad to have you with me.
Chapter List
Chapter One: The Maharal’s Daughter
Chapter Two: The Witch of Döbling
Chapter Three: The ADAM Project
Chapter Four: The Sacred Shidduch
Chapter Five: The Fifth Aliyah
Chapter Seven: The Golem of Prague
Chapter Eight: Under the Olive Tree
Chapter Nine: A History Lesson
Chapter Ten: Under Cover of Night
Chapter Eleven: Revolt
Chapter Eleven: Revolt
British Mandate Palestine, 1936
Ducking into her uncle’s office, Avital lowered her dripping umbrella and hung it on the hook by the door. It wasn’t until she looked up from shaking the rain from her handbag that she realized she wasn’t alone. A group of young men were gathered around her uncle’s desk, and her Uncle Ezra stood in their center, his hands gripping the back of his chair. “Oh,” Avital paused, noticing their solemn expressions. She had the distinct impression she had walked in on some private conversation or secret meeting. Glancing around, she recognized some of the men from her uncle’s lectures, yet others were unfamiliar to her. Then she saw Benjamin standing slightly off to the side, twisting his hat in his hands, a worried look on his face. When their eyes met, he gave her an almost imperceptible nod.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, taking a step back toward the hall from which she’d come. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I can go if you’d prefer.” Her uncle, however, smiled and came around the desk. “Nonsense!” he said in an overly-bright tone. “We were just finishing up. Weren’t we, gentlemen?” The men gazed at each other then nodded slowly. “In fact,” her uncle continued, taking her hand and leading her into the room, “my afternoon classes are canceled. Why don’t you all go along now? We can continue our conversation at another time.”
As Avital sat at the small table beside her uncle’s desk, she watched him usher the group to the door. Most of them filed out with polite nods and parting words of “shalom or lehitraot,” but a few of them hung back, heads bent as they whispered to her uncle. Try as she might, Avital couldn’t make out their words. With a few more nods, they finally dispersed, and Avital caught a last glimpse of Benjamin lurking in the hall before her uncle closed his office door.
“Did you have anything for me today?” She asked as she pulled her stationary and a few pens out of her bag and spread them on the table before her. As if he hadn’t heard, her uncle drifted to the window that overlooked the hillside and the city of Jerusalem beyond, staring out for a few long moments, his hand absently toying with the chain of the roller shade. The rain had stopped and rays of sunlight beamed through the parting storm clouds. Avital shifted in her seat, wondering again what she had interrupted. A sense of discomfort settled over her, tightening into a knot in her stomach. She had never seen her uncle so distracted. His face was drawn and his lips twitched slightly, and she was suddenly reminded of her father, whose mannerisms had been identical whenever he sat at his desk listening to the news out of Germany. Avital leaned forward and cleared her throat, hoping to break the silence.
“Uncle Ezra?”
Turning with a start, her uncle seemed to notice her for the first time. “I’m sorry, Avital,” he apologized as he shook his head. “I can’t seem to gather my thoughts today.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Oh, yes, yes,” he muttered, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Just a few administrative issues I need to take care of.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?” She asked, but he shook his head again and sighed. “Not today, my dear. Why don’t you take advantage of the break in the rain to head home. I’ll be along shortly. Tell Aunt Judith I’ll be home early for supper.”
“Are you sure?” She asked. He nodded and, without another word, turned to face the window once more, deep in whatever thoughts were occupying his mind, his back to her. Frowning, she slowly gathered her belongings and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her. Before she could wonder further at her uncle’s strange behavior, she saw Benjamin standing just inside the doorway of a darkened classroom across the hall, waving to her. She hurried to his side, eagerly taking the hands he held out to her, welcoming the warmth of his arms as they encircled her.
“What’s happened, Benjamin?” She asked, her head against his chest. She could feel his heart beating beneath her cheek, and he swallowed as he hesitated. “Don’t tell me it’s nothing,” she warned. “I can tell I walked in on something, and my uncle is trying to pretend everything is okay.” She pulled back and looked up at him expectantly, staring into his chocolate-colored eyes.
“Not here,” he said softly, glancing around the deserted classroom, adding to her confusion. “Let me walk you home and I’ll explain.”
He took her hand and pulled her out of the classroom to the door that led outside. Stepping into the late afternoon, Avital instantly felt the breath of warm air on her face and neck. The puddles of rain had all but evaporated in the spring heat and the sky overhead was now almost completely blue. Benjamin continued to lead her through the campus and onto the road that led toward her neighborhood on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Frustrated by his continued silence, she tugged on his hand. “Tell me,” she urged, and he slowed his pace.
“Alright,” Benjamin sighed. Inhaling deeply, he said, “There was an incident last night. We found out about it this morning.”
“What kind of incident?”
The road that stretched before them was empty, but he spoke so softly she had to lean in closer to hear his words. “A group of armed Arabs stopped vehicles on the road between Anabta and Tulkar. They demanded weapons and money from the drivers.”
“Why?” Avital pressed.
“They oppose Jews in Palestine,” Benjamin continued in a hushed voice. “They are supporters of a Muslim preacher, Izzadin al-Qassam, who was killed last year and who believed the Jews have no right to the land. Before he died, al-Qassam organized militant groups to strike against the British rule of Palestine and what he perceived as a growing Zionist threat. They were jihad fighters that came to be known as the Black Hand. Under al-Qassam’s rule, they instigated countless acts of violence toward Jewish settlers and the British.”
“How did he die?”
“The British police led a manhunt for him last year that ended when he and his men were surrounded in a cave near Ya’bad. Knowing they were surrounded, they opened fire but were killed by the police. He became a martyr. These men who stopped the convoy last night are his followers.”
Avital’s thoughts raced as she took in all this information. She had never heard the name Izzadin al-Qassam, the term Black Hand, or of the city Ya’bad. Benjamin’s words were foreign to her ears. Frowning, she asked, “What do they want with the weapons?” Benjamin met her gaze without answering. He didn’t have to. “Were they successful?” Avital whispered. “Did they get the weapons?”
With a low sigh, Benjamin glanced over her head before answering, “It didn’t end there. We heard that two of the drivers and one passenger, all Jewish, were pulled from the vehicles and shot.”
“Shot?” The word came out in a gasp.
“Yes,” he nodded. “One of the drivers was 70 and died instantly. Word is, he had just arrived here from Greece. The other two are alive, though the other driver is in critical condition. He was taking a truckload of chickens to Tel Aviv. No weapons.”
“Unbelievable,” Avital breathed, shaking her head.
“There are rumors another driver was allowed to pass when he declared he was a Christian German and was told to live ‘for Hilter’s sake.’”
Goosebumps broke out on Avital’s arms. She thought back to her final days in Vienna, to the horrible accounts coming out of Germany, to her parents’ desperation to keep them safe. They had put Avital and her sister on a boat to Palestine to protect them. Had they known about all the unrest she was just learning about now?
“News is spreading throughout campus,” Benjamin continued. “We heard about all this just this morning.”
“Who is ‘we,’ Benjamin?” Avital asked desperately. “Why were you in my uncle’s office? What does he have to do with all of this? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
When Benjamin didn’t answer, she stopped walking in the middle of the road, forcing him to face her. The knot in her stomach had grown exponentially, and she shivered despite the heat. “It’s nothing for you to be concerned about.” He tried to assure her, but she didn’t budge. He stared down at her for a long moment, as if judging what to say next. When he finally spoke, his words came out in a rush. “Fine. Many of the students want to fight back. There are talks of retaliation, of a strike that is to take place tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes,” he nodded slowly.
“And my uncle?”
Benjamin hesitated before admitting, “Your uncle is a proud Zionist. He believes in a homeland for the Jewish people. We are all concerned about what is happening in Europe and the need for a place that is our own. Our history, our roots, the birth of our people began in this land. Your uncle has led discussions about this subject, and many of the students look up to him and turn to him for guidance. Yesterday’s murder isn’t an isolated incident. There’s been a history of unrest, Avital. And many want to fight to protect our stake here in Palestine.”
“And you, Benjamin?” She asked, her voice shaking. “Do you want to fight back?” She studied him as he continued to stare over her head, at his soft features, his kind eyes. His gentle nature seemed to go against any act of violence. But when he spoke, he said, “I want to defend my people.”
He took her hand in his once more and said, “Let’s get you home.” She didn’t resist. Her head was spinning. They continued their walk in silence until she was at the front gate of her aunt and uncle’s home. The windows were open, the white curtains of the upstairs bedrooms billowing out over the front garden, and she heard her aunt humming from the kitchen.
“Go on in,” Benjamin said softly, his head bent so his forehead touched her own. “And stay in tonight.”
“When will I see you again?” She whispered shakily.
“I’ll call on you again tomorrow, I promise.” He said.
“Be safe,” she begged. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
Benjamin lowered his face so their lips touched for the briefest moment, and she wanted nothing more than to pull him closer and not let go. She didn’t care if anyone saw. She didn’t care if the world fell apart around them. All she knew was, she wanted him, and she would do anything to keep him safe. But she felt him pull away too soon, and his hand slipped from hers. In silence, she watched him walk down the path, his steps unhurried but resolute. He turned once to wave goodbye, and then she was alone on the doorstep, and he was gone.