They Looked for a City

by Lydia Buksbazen

This fascinating book tells the incredible but true story of a Jewish family in Eastern Europe and their bitter but triumphant struggle for survival as they embrace a Christian God. Meet Yente and Benjamin who, despite bitter opposition, discover love in the Warsaw Ghetto, which was then the heart of European Jewry.

Their lives weave a tale of betrayal and separation, confusion and desperation, failure and success, as they are caught in the maelstrom of war, torn apart by a devastating series of events, and experience a truly miraculous family reunion.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[✿◕‿◕✿Pao · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very dear to me and my family, written by my husbands great grandmother.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well-written portrayal of a family of messianic Jews living in Europe and serving God during the early twentieth-century. I highly recommend it to anyone middle school or above!

[Savannah McCrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My writer friend Hosanna sent me this book, and I very much enjoyed it! In it, the author shares her family’s experiences as Jews living in Europe from the late 1800s through World War II. I especially enjoyed how it was written from the perspective of a Jewish Christian. I’ve always been fascinated by Jewish culture and customs, and I just love it when I read a story of a Jew who realizes that Jesus is the promised Messiah! There were certainly times in the book when I didn’t agree with someone’s decision, but it’s a true story, and the author is simply telling it as it happened! There were some sad bits, two of the main ones being that the author’s grandmother died after being beaten by a Russian Cossack while living in Poland, and that the author and three of her siblings were temporarily placed in foster homes where they were mistreated. There wasn’t any inappropriate content, though; it was a very clean read, and I’d definitely recommend it.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Those were days where men had to live by faith, if they were to live at all."

I really want to give this book more stars, but I cannot. I was so interested in this family and their story, but the story didn't read well. (ugg, I hate to say it!) Wasn't well written, didn't maintain interest well. The author, who was the daughter of the woman this story is primarily about (hence the distaste to criticize) would fixate on some areas and then gloss over huge, significant times.

I am glad I read it but it was purposeful to finish it, I wasn't "gripped", and that saddens me. Then, of course, I wonder at my own need to be entertained...and that also saddens me.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book primarily for it being a true story. It was difficult to stop reading as I found myself intrigued by the life that was lived by this sweet Jewish family. Sometimes we don't even realize what people of old had to go through. I am so glad a friend of mine placed this book in my hands.

[Eric Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buksbazen, while narrating her own family history, weaves a memoir that exposes character contrasts, inspiring instances of God’s grace, times of great privation and suffering, and the triumph of faith. The book gives us a poignant picture of life in the midst of the turmoil that was Europe in the early 20th. We especially sense the suffering and irrational hatred that Jews experienced during that time.

The father, Benjamin, while a converted Jew sold out to Christ nevertheless was often impractical and unwise in his decisions. He often failed to care for his family. He’s another example of a man in ministry who put ministry before his family.

His wife Yente, on the other hand, showed incredible faith and the ability to care for her children. She is the heroine of the story. And yet, I can’t understand why she left her children in the care of people who were not thoughtful while she escaped to England.

Perhaps, more than anything else we realize what a terrible time it was in Europe during that period. Something we in North America have never experienced. Even beyond that impression is the realization that God cares for His children even in the most dire circumstances.

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydia Buskbazen chronicles her mother's life and troubles in They Looked for a City. This is an incredible story about one family's faith in Christ, and how this helps them persevere through numerous hardships. As Messianic Jews, Yente and her family are not only persecuted for being Jewish but are also persecuted by their own for being Christian. I was amazed by Yente's strength in the face of all of her troubles as well as the strength of her family. This truly is an unforgettable story. At times, I rejoiced at God's faithfulness and care, while at other times, I wept because of the sorrows this family experienced and the anguish of the Jewish people, most especially during WWII.

My only complaint is that it ends so abruptly and would have liked an epilogue, detailing what happened to the rest of the family after the war. EDIT: I discovered that there is a sequel called Wonders Never Cease, which I would love to read. Unfortunately, it is out of print....

This comes highly recommended to people who have read and loved The Hiding Place.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very real portrayal of life during both World Wars for a Jewish Christian family. Although it is not the best writing I have ever read, it was very well written compared to many autobiographical books that I have read. I would recommend this to Jews, Christians, and history lovers.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

En Yente encontré una mujer como en Proverbios 31...

[Salinn Barth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It kept my attention well and I hardly wanted to put it down. Highly recommend.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself would have been good if there was more of a plot and less of back and forth type feel to it.

I do understand this is a biography on Yente's life (the author's mother), but the style it was written in was so primitive it severely stunted the growth in the journey of the book. Yente had a great story to tell, of her trials and triumphs and her courage, but since the author chose to concentrate on the conversion of Yente and Benjamin's faith from pure Jewish beliefs to Christian Jewish instead of showcasing the actual growth throughout her life, it became too much of a "this faith is the correct faith and you should evaluate your own life and alter it to this faith" type of book.

She lived through two of the darkest times in our world history and it is only slightly touched upon in this book. The struggle of her finding her own city, of reconnecting with her family over and over just got inundated throughout the book too much.

I probably would not recommend this book to anyone, but I am not upset that I have read it.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a Jewish family who changed to Christianity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The strong Christian family was scattered between Germany, Poland, and Great Britain during the World Wars. God showed His power to me through this book. God performed many miracles in this book. It taught me to trust in God so matter what. very touching story.

[Matt Friedman]

Inspiring on many levels, and yet I was so sad as I read of the degree to which it was expected that Jewish believers in Yeshua would abandon their traditions as they came to faith in Yeshua. Expected, and yet, it seemed that in the context depicted, they were still never really quite trusted.

[James B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty crazy story- fairly poorly written.

[Marcelle Malillo maggio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book but beware it will break your heart. Sadly it is a true story. The faith shone by its main characters certainly strengthened mine.

[Lori Nemitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read between July & December 1984.

Original notes on book from 1984: Great book. About two generations of Christian jews.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and loved it so much I read it to my mom too. This is a great book and is very well written! I highly recommend it!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story! It is almost unbelievable what this family went through, but you can see woven throughout the story the supernatural guidance and protection of the Lord. It was a beautiful testimony of God's goodness!