The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

While the family drama is plodding, the backdrop of Palestine during the years leading up to the birth of the state of Israel has a beautiful feel, and, from what I've studied, an authenticity to it. Not everyone understands the nuances -- the wealthy Armozas have quite possibly been in Jerusalem since their family was expelled from Spain in 1492, so they look down on the Ashkenazim, the recent arrivals from eastern Europe, with their payos, their Yiddish and their shtetl ways. These divisions persisted. Also, it's very true that the birth of the state was accompanied by two wars, not one. By the late 1920s Jews in Palestine were being attacked by their Arab neighbors as a response to increased Jewish immigration, and the attackers didn't always distinguish between recent arrivals and Jews who had lived there for centuries. This war is not as well known as the War of Independence of 1948, but in Israel they have not forgotten it and these incidents are dramatized.

Admittedly, several of the key characters are not all that likeable so it's harder to care about what happens to them. Still, if you enjoy a production with a real sense of time and place, give it a try.

It was probably timely that I started watching "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem" right before the latest war between Israel and Hamas. This series looks at life in Israel while it was still the British colony known as Mandatory Palestine. The main focus is a Sephardic family living there starting in the 1920s, going up through the '40s. Among the issues covered are the tensions between the Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews, clashes with the Arabs, and the question of retaining one's cultural practices.

All in all a fine show. If nothing else, it should remind us that many of the problems in the region stem from the British occupation, with London drawing up the borders to benefit itself; the British authorities later acknowledged that they made a mistake by not asking the Palestinians their opinion on creating a Jewish homeland in the region.

Worth seeing.

This drama series got me hooked on the first episode! I couldn't help but binge 3-4 episodes a night. I love the actors, the story line is captivating and left me looking forward to watching what would happen next! I really do hope they air season 3 and don't leave us hanging the way they ended season 2. It's a beautiful historical drama with several love stories entwined set in a time of war and religious conflict. The actors are fantastic and I'm so rooting for Luana. I really hope there will be a season 3 and that we don't have to wait a whole year for it to air either! I'm considering rewatching it already.

I just finished watching Season 1, all 10 Episodes, on Netflix. This TV series is amazing.

In part, this series is great because of all of the great acting. It features a wonderful ensemble cast. The way the show is filmed is also key to its success.

It's a very complicated show and some degree of concentration and patience is needed to fully appreciate it. By going back and forth in time, it can be confusing but it really does make a lot of sense.

Exploration of family dynamics against the backdrop of critical historical events is the true beauty of this show.

Would recommend this to anyone who's up for something on the heavy side. There are some truly shocking moments. For those who just want a "guilty pleasure," this is not for you.

I love this and I'm only on episode 9. Great acting, great storyline. The dubbing is immaculate. I'm hooked! I can't wait to see where these characters take me?