Across the Bridge

In early 1929, Shabtai and Naomi Levy escaped from the small town of Cizre, Turkey. With a two-month-old baby and Shabtai’s mother, they journeyed on foot to Jerusalem. Illegally crossing Jacob’s Ford Bridge over the Jordan River from Syria to Palestine, they eventually reached Jerusalem. There, they raised thirteen children while surviving war and hardship. Their saga highlights love, faith, hope, and most of all, the celebration of life. This is their story of love, courage, perseverance, and sacrifice as told by their twelfth child as she collected from the memories and reflections of their children.

In early 1929, Shabtai and Naomi Levy escaped from the small town of Cizre, Turkey. With a two-month-old baby and Shabtai’s mother, they journeyed on foot to Jerusalem. Illegally crossing Jacob’s Ford Bridge over the Jordan River from Syria to Palestine, they eventually reached Jerusalem. There, they raised thirteen children while surviving war and hardship. Their saga highlights love, faith, hope, and most of all, the celebration of life. This is their story of love, courage, perseverance, and sacrifice as told by their twelfth child as she collected from the memories and reflections of their children.

Sima Linson was born in Jerusalem, Israel and currently lives in Southern California with her husband Rabbi Dennis Linson. They are the parents of three children.