“…Selz brought a woman’s voice to this era of world history, reflecting as she did upon the limited choices women faced in an era when they were neither permitted education nor given choices in whom they might marry….Selz’s depiction of the home lives of the extended Crevago family are so evocative, at times I felt I was sitting down with the family at the main meal.”

SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD

Marcia Selz has been called a “Renaissance woman”, a “writer with passion” and a “community mensch”.  While touring in Spain, she learned about the remarkable story of Vitoria’s medieval Christian and Jewish communities.  It grabbed her. After 12 years of research, writing, re-writing and editing, her first book was published to rave reviews. At Vitoria is available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, Target.com and various other online booksellers.

Marcia is enthusiastic about sharing the story of how medieval Jewish physicians saved many Christian lives during an epidemic and how Vitoria’s Town Council took an oath to preserve the Jewish cemetery when the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. The succeeding generations of Vitoria’s Christians kept this oath for almost 500 years.  Finally, in 1952, when the descendants of Vitoria’s Jews released Vitoria’s Town Council from its oath, the Town Council made a decision that surprised both Christians and Jews.  In today’s world, it is a story that needs to be shared with as many people as possible.

Marcia earned her Ph.D. from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate Management Center of Claremont Graduate University, an M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington.  Marcia also has a Masters from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Marcia grew up in South Chicago. She currently is writing a book about how her childhood experiences shaped her current points-of-view.

“A well-constructed, highly informative historical novel.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS

How could a medieval Jewish cemetery in Vitoria, Spain be the cause of so much debate?

At Vitoria transports the reader to the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the fifteenth century and weaves a story of success, downfall, love, terror, tragedy, shame, and honor. The historical and cultural details surrounding the story make for an evocative narrative that draws the reader in and provides an engaging sense of realism.

At Vitoria introduces the reader to a Jewish family living in medieval Vitoria:

• The master cobbler BENJAMIN CREVAGO who creates footwear treasures worn by Iberian nobles. He is Jewish to his core, but is also a tortured soul that carries a dreadful secret.
• His brother VIDAL, who delivers Benjamin’s creations to Christian agents throughout the Iberian Peninsula, but is traumatized when he witnesses the horrors of the Inquisition.
• Brother physician ROFFE MICHAH helps the Christian community after a great illness strikes and the Christian doctors flee to the countryside. However, the gift of saving Christian children comes at a great price.
• The youngest and most pampered brother YOSEF, who becomes a professor of languages at the University of Murcia and is elevated to the position of court adviser to the provincial Governor.

At Vitoria tells how the Crevagos cope with the realities of Inquisition Spain and with the edict of expulsion issued by KING FERDINAND and QUEEN ISABELLA. It is also the story of how the medieval Christians of Vitoria take an oath to preserve the Jewish cemetery and keep this promise for almost 500 years. In 1952, the descendants of the Jews of Vitoria must vote to either release Vitoria’s Town Council from the oath or require the Christians of Vitoria to uphold it.

At Vitoria is a heart wrenching, but ultimately heart-warming read, with a life-affirming message. It is sure to cause smiles, tears, and pride in humanity.