Neither Jew nor Greek : a story of Jewish social life

Set in the bustling world of early‑twentieth‑century London’s Jewish community, the novel opens with the lively Friedberg sisters debating the prospects of marriage while their elder sibling, Adeline, prepares for a grand wedding. The ceremony, orchestrated by the synagogue’s minister and celebrated in a lavish hotel, brings together family, friends, and the successful immigrant businessman Michael Rosen, whose rise from a traveling jeweller to a furnishings magnate reflects the aspirations of many newcomers.

Once the honeymoon begins, Adeline’s idealised visions of country life clash with the reality of a marriage built more on convenience and financial security than affection. Surrounded by well‑meaning relatives and the subtle pressures of community expectations, she discovers the quiet tensions that lie beneath polished appearances. As she navigates her new role, the story offers a witty, compassionate glimpse into the everyday hopes, anxieties, and humor that shape Jewish social life in this era.