Sister Miriam
Miriam Moyal-Torgeman
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Sister Miriam tells the story of a fifteen-year-old girl who immigrated from Morocco to Israel in the 1950s. The book follows Miriam Moyal-Turgeman, a sensitive yet determined teenager who chooses to break free from hardship and build a meaningful life. Her personal story is interwoven with the history of nursing in Israel and the broader experience of Moroccan Jewish immigration, shedding light on the social and political challenges of the era. Told in an honest, unembellished voice, the book highlights courage, perseverance, and the effort to overcome personal and societal obstacles, offering readers both historical insight and emotional depth.
Hebrew, Hardcover, 174 pages, 22 images, 16X22 cm, 6.3X8.7 in, 0.4 kg, 0.89 lbs, First Edition, 2008, ISBN/Code 978-965-7459-00-3
“I stood in front of him and said firmly, ‘Do you see that car? I’m going to throw myself under its wheels.’ Yehuda realized I was desperate and truly meant what I said. He pulled me aside and asked again for my name and what kind of help I wanted. I felt time was running out, so I briefly told him about my situation. I said, ‘I have only one request — I want to study.’”
— Miriam Moial-Turgeman, from the book Sister Miriam
About the Book
Sister Miriam is a biographical account tracing the life of Miriam Moyal-Turgeman, from her youth in Morocco to her immigration to Israel. The book follows her determination to pursue a career in nursing while navigating the challenges of immigrant integration and the social and political realities of 1950s Israel. Readers gain insight into everyday life in kibbutzim and youth movements, as well as the role of Moroccan community leaders in supporting immigrant absorption. The book also chronicles Miriam’s professional path in nursing, from a kibbutz clinic to a hospital surgical department, offering an intimate portrait of resilience and determination.
About the Author
Miriam Moyal-Torgeman is a registered nurse with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. She began her career in a kibbutz clinic, initially trained as a practical nurse, and went on to work at Rothschild Hospital in Haifa, where she eventually became head of the surgical department. In her book, she draws on her personal experience as a Moroccan immigrant to Israel, offering an authentic and insightful portrait of her life and the social realities of the period
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sister Miriam about?
The book follows Miriam Moyal-Turgeman, a Moroccan immigrant in 1950s Israel, weaving her personal story with the history of nursing and the broader process of immigrant absorption.
Who is the author?
Miriam Moyal-Turgeman is a professional nurse with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. She draws on her own lived experience of immigration and integration.
When does the story take place?
The narrative is set in the 1950s, a period marked by mass immigration, social hardship, and political challenges in Israel.
What are the main themes of the book?
Moroccan Jewish immigration, immigrant integration, the development of a nursing career, personal resilience and determination, and the social and political context of the era.
Who is the book for?
This book will appeal to readers interested in immigrant memoirs, Israeli social history, the history of nursing, and stories of personal and collective perseverance.
Key Topics
Moroccan immigration to Israel in the 1950s
Experiences of absorption and social hardship
Nursing career path: kibbutz clinics to hospital surgical departments
Personal resilience and determination
Social and political context of the period
Contribution of youth movements and kibbutzim to immigrant integration
History of nursing in Israel
