Reading Group Gold discussion

1) How did you originally relate to the mother in this story, Daniella? By the end of the book, did your feelings change? In what way?

2) Bina Tzedek and Daniella Weiss are both young, Orthodox women. Compare and contrast these two women.

3) To what, or whom, does the title The Devil in Jerusalem refer?

4) How is a cult different from a legitimate religious community?

5) What character traits in Shlomie attracted him to Shem Tov?

6) Describe your feelings about the Goodman children. Of all the children, who did you relate to most? Why?

7) Was there a point in this story where Daniella could have saved herself? Describe how things could have turned out differently, or describe why they had to turn out the way they did.

8) Describe the relationship between Daniella and her mother. How much or little do you think it contributed to the tragic circumstances that followed?

9) Does this story have a hero/heroine? Who would you pick, and why?

10) What motivated Shem Tov to do what he did? What motivated his followers? Do you think their punishment was too harsh? Too lenient?

11) Do you think Ruth Shem Tov was a victim? An accomplice? An innocent bystander? Did she too deserve to be punished?

12) Do you think Shlomie deserved to get custody of the children more than Daniella once she got out of prison?