As a student at Manhattan’s private girls school, Nightingale-Bamford, Miriam Bishop has a circle of friends. But two things happen to remind Miriam that, as a Jew, there are places where she will not be welcomed. The summer after seventh grade, her best friend, Elizabeth, is planning to attend Camp Oneida in Maine. She encourages Miriam to attend, too. But the camp is “restricted,” so instead of being at camp, Miriam stays home and receives postcards from Elizabeth.
Then, in the spring of senior year, Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Hunnewell, plans a luncheon for the girls at The Colony, “the premier all-women’s club in the city.” Miriam is excited, rushing over to Elizabeth’s house to show her the wine-colored dress and jacket from Saks she plans to wear. But Mrs. Hunnewell pulls Miriam aside. The club is “restricted” so Miriam won’t be allowed inside. Although Miriam pleads with her friends to support her and not attend, they go anyway. Miriam realizes that her friendships with these girls only goes so far. As long as they see her as a “Jew,” there will always be places where she will be excluded. So when she leaves for her freshman year at Vassar College, she decides to use her middle name, Anne, and not tell anyone that she is Jewish.
Anne’s strategy works. She is accepted by a clique run by queen bee, Virginia, who doesn’t hold back when making comments about a girl they all know is Jewish. Not only is Delia Goldhush smart, stylish, and sophisticated, she also identifies as a Jew. While the other girls keep their distance, Anne is drawn to this fascinating woman. One day she joins Delia for lunch, something that does not go unnoticed by Virginia and the other girls. Another time, she explores the thrift shops in town, watching while Delia manages to plow through used clothing that Anne would never think of wearing. Delia, however, turns these discards into fashion statements. She selects a bright scarf and purchases it for Anne. She even shows her how to wear it. The other girls notice Anne’s new look, but don’t attribute it to Delia’s influence.
Delia appears more mature than the other girls because she lived through the war. When the Nazis marched into Paris, Delia and her family made plans to leave for America. But on the morning they were to leave, Delia’s mother, Sophie, a talented artist, didn’t return. So Simon and Delia fled, leaving Sophie behind. Later, Delia learns in a letter that Sophie, who had been working with the resistance, was shot and killed by the Nazis.
At Vassar, Delia dives into the work, particularly excited about a literature class taught by Ian McQuaid. He recognizes Delia’s talents, giving her an A-plus on one of her first papers. When he asks her whether she could babysit for his twin daughters so that he and his wife could go out to celebrate their anniversary, she agrees. Soon, she is babysitting for the family every week. Ian always drives her back home and on one occasion, Delia kisses him. He returns the kiss. One afternoon, they meet in his office and have sex, Delia for the first time.
Virginia, however, is watching. She calls a meeting of her group and pressures them all to sign a letter to the dean. Anne tries to argue against the move, but fearful of Virginia’s vengeance, she finally adds her signature. Delia is called to the dean’s office, where she is told she’s being expelled. She can’t help but notice Anne’s name at the bottom of the letter.
Reluctant to tell Simon she has been kicked out of Vassar, Delia makes a plan to go to Paris to find her mother’s artwork and bring the pieces back to New York. At the same time, Anne decides to escape Virginia’s claws and signs up for a program in Paris. When the two young women meet, there are wounds to be healed. Part of that way forward will include a trip to Palestine, where Jews are beginning to create a new country, but are still being targeted for violence. Anne and Delia come to terms with their own relationship and what it means to be a Jew in a new world.
Kitty Zeldis, a pseudonym, has written several novels that explore antisemitism, including Not Our Kind and The Dressmakers of Prospect Park. However, One of Them stands out as particularly timely, published during a period when college campuses are grappling with investigations and resignations related to antisemitism. The novel delves into how this type of discrimination not only damages institutions but also has a profoundly hurtful impact on personal relationships. While attention often focuses on demonstrations and marches, Zeldis emphasizes that the most effective response can sometimes be as simple as standing up for a friend.
Top photo: Bigstock
One of Them
Kitty Zeldis
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