Raised in the Juderia or Jewish quarter of Tetouan, Morocco, at the turn of the 20th century, sixteen-year-old Mazaltob finds herself betrothed to José, a man from her own community who has returned from Argentina to seek a wife. In this award- winning poetic novel, Algerian born Blanche Bendahan evokes the two compelling forces tearing Mazaltob apart in her body and soul: her loyalty to the Juderia and her powerful desire to follow her own voice and find true love 

Our discussion of Mazaltob (translated and edited by Yaelle Azagury and Frances Malino and published in 2024 by Brandeis University Press) will focus on Bendahan’s masterly exploration of the lives of Jewish women in early 20th century North Africa, while also reflecting upon the intellectual milieu of mid-twentieth century France. 

CDT member Frances Malino is the Sophia Moses Robison Professor Emerita of Jewish Studies and History at Wellesley College.  Author of numerous books and co-founder of a Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life, she was named Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques by the French Ministry of Education in 2012.