York, England, 1189. In a time of rising intolerance when faith and survival collide, Roni must forge his own path amidst the shadows of hatred and the light of love. Will he embrace the religious conviction of his teacher or the worldly valor of his mentor? Discover a tale of courage, choices, and the fight for identity in The Way to Walk.

The Way to Walk

Life in York is tranquil. There is little interaction between Christians and Jews, usually only when a member of the aristocracy needs a loan from Jewish moneylenders. But the status quo is changing. Blood libels demonize Jews, fomenting ill will among the masses. The monopoly on moneylending imposed on Jews provokes simmering resentment among the nobility, many of whom are indebted. And Saracen victories in the Holy Land stoke xenophobia, leading Christians to regard Jews as “the infidels among us.” Then, in one of the bloodiest chapters of Anglo-Jewish history, York’s Jews are besieged by their neighbors, then presented with an ultimatum: convert or be killed. Confronted by this terrible choice, 150 people take their own lives rather than forsake their heritage.

The Way to Walk reimagines these events via a coming-of-age story that presents first love during a time of violent intolerance. Thirteen-year-old Roni spends much of his time in his rabbi’s library, but his innate longing for adventure leads him to crave more than the life of scholarship, devotion, and community leadership his father intends for him. A secret friendship with Christian novice Neville results in keeping secrets from his father and teacher, but also feeds his adventurous spirit. Roni is smitten with Biket, a Jewish girl who is as clever and brave as she is loving. Biket is the daughter of Benedict, England’s greatest moneylender, a magnate who rubs shoulders with bishops and barons, and whom Roni reveres. Rabbi Yom Tov takes seriously his duty to instruct his community in halakha, “the way to walk” in the world according to Jewish precepts. Roni is devoted to his teacher and studies, but his active inner world leads him to wonder about other paths he might take.

Roni struggles to navigate this perilous environment and win Biket’s love, all while choosing his own way to walk: the path of his pious teacher, or that of his more cosmopolitan mentor. Together, Roni and Biket face terrifying challenges. Biket’s courage will help Roni achieve his full potential and may just save both their lives.The Way to Walk fictionalizes real events and brings to life the actual people known to have lived, and perished, during this historical tragedy. The York martyrs speak to us across the generations, and recent archaeological finds from this region and period stand in silent testimony to the dangers they faced. Their experience is as relevant today as it was eight centuries ago, as bigotry and groundless hatred continue to lurk unabated in the darker folds of the human heart.