If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he
has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
–Henry David Thoreau
Friday morning as I decorated cakes at work, I received a text message and an email from my agent, Jeanie, that began with, “I hope you’re sitting down” turned my world upside down. With several hours left to my work day, I tried to keep focused on tasks at hand while vacillating between smiles and tears. A nine-year-old dream that began with a story and nascent writing skill was about to come true.
***
Click here to read all about it.
HAVAH COHEN GITTERMAN Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Barefoot, wearing only a nightgown, Havah Cohen escapes the brutal massacre that takes her parents and two brothers on a frigid November night in 1899. To keep her mind off her razed village as she runs through the woods in search of safety, she recites the Kaddish, the prayer said in memory of the dead. Who else will perform this mitzvah, blessing, for them? Just before sunrise she collapses on the synagogue steps in a nearby village called Svechka, Moldavia.
Havah is the daughter of a free-thinking rabbi who saw nothing wrong with women having the same education as men. To avoid the inevitable disapproval in her new surroundings, Havah tries to keep her knowledge a secret. However, Arel, Rabbi Gitterman’s son, finds her irresistible because of it. If only Arel wasn’t betrothed to Gittel, Havah’s adopted sister.
Both PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME and FROM SILT AND ASHES revolve aroundHavah, her life, her loves and her challenges which she faces with stubborn passion. Althoughshe has a strong faith in God, she pushes the boundaries of religion and traditions.
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Can’t Wait to read the first printed copy, autographed for me. Exciting stuff going on here. 😄
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I am so happy for you. Congratulations! Are the watercolors yours also?
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Yes, Patty, the are indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They are amazing. I do watercolor too. I love it.
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Congratulations Rochelle! I am very very happy for you. Keep us updated. 😀 (I had no doubt it would not happen for you).
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Dear Joy,
There are times I doubted, that’s for sure. 😉 I’ve been fortunate in having a great support system to lead, teach and listen. I will certainly keep everyone updated.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes – congratulations 🙂
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Thank you, K.T. 😀
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Congratulations!
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Thank you, Chuck. Color me purple with delight. 😉
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Big Congrats! I am so excited for you! I can’t wait until they are published, so I can buy them! Great news! 🙂
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Dear Betty,
I’ll let everyone know when they’re out. Meanwhile, I do have a short story anthology published by High Hill Press. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks!
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So pleased and happy for you, Rochelle. Looking forward to seeing your life’s work in book form.
janet
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Dear Janet,
It does seem like a lifetime since this all began. You’ll be one of the first to know.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations, Rochelle. Fantastic that your dream has finally come true. You certainly deserve it. Great also that you were able to use your lovely artwork in your short story collection. I hope for the best of everything for you. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
One of the perks of having the publisher of High Hill Press invite me to write a collection for her to print was being able to do the artwork. I’m hoping when I finally have more time to devote to marketing and promotion that the novels will create a renewed interest in the anthology as well.
Thank you for your kudos and good wishes. I so appreciate them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations. Mazel Tov.
I think I heard your heart beating in joy and excitement all the way down here in Fort Lauderdale.
Lots of hard work, patient waiting, and a dream come true.
😉 Randy
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Dear Randy.
I’m pretty sure that was my heart you heard. 😉 Got that right on the hard work. Passion will do that to a person.
Thank you for sharing my nachas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Many congratulations, Rochelle. Your books sound fascinating. I only know you from FF but that’s enough to know your books will be intensively researched and well written. Your nine year search for a publisher also gives me hope that one day I will find one too!
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Dear Liz,
It has been an amazing journey thus far. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rewritten both of the novels. Each time I’d go to a workshop, I’d say, “Oh, I need to go back and change that or this.” Friday Fictioneers has had a huge influence on my writing, too. I realized how often I said too much in my longer pieces.
I’ve pitched to six different agents (which really isn’t that many) three of them turned me down. At the last pitch, two were interested and I chose to go with Jeanie. A very happy choice I must say. 😀 She’s had the first one for nearly three years and has never given up.
I wish you good fortune in your own journey.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, this sounds a very moving story. Definitely for my reading list.
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Dear Sarah,
I’ll let you know when it’s available. In fact, I’ll let everybody know. 😉
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY! Can you see me jumping up and down? Now the real fun starts.
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Dear Sandra,
My face hurts from smiling. The fun is definitely beginning. I’ve run the full gamut of emotion over the past few days.
Thanks for the happy dance.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations! Looking forward to read them.
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Thank you Ansumani.:D
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This is fantastic news, congratulations!
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Dear Hilary,
I’m still pinching myself to make sure I’m really awake. Although reality of the work of the next phase is sinking in as well. I’m exhilerated and terrified by turns.
Thank you for the congrats.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congrats, Rochelle. This is exciting. I’m very happy for you!
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Thank you, Russell, I’m thrilled and a little daunted by how “fast” this happened. They want to release the first book this year. 😯
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Love the character studies, Rochelle… and as you know, I’m so very excited for you! xo
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Thank you, Dawn. You’re a great encourager. There will be more character studies. They’re kind of fun.
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Yay!!! Congratulations Rochelle.
Very happy that your talent as a writer and your perseverance in following your dream is rewarded.
Shalom.
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Dear Emmy,
I’m not sure if I’d known what I was in for when I started…nah, I wouldn’t do anything different.
Thank you for stopping by to share my joy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sending you cyber smiles. Be well, Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Thank you for cyber smiles, I’m enjoying their warmth.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations…that is such a big deal. Jewish customs have always made me want to be Jewish. I yearn on the high holidays to join the throng of those walking to temple, this fallen Catholic girl. Dipping apples in honey for a sweet year, leaving a stone on a grave to say you were there. There’s such beauty in ritual. Again, I am very happy for you.
Shalom, as you always say 🙂 Susannah
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Dear Susannah,
There are some lovely traditions in Judaism I’ve always been happy that I was allowed to be born a Jewess. However I grew up in a non-observant home and experienced the same longings. It wasn’t until my mid-teens that I joined an Orthodox youth group and took Hebrew lessons from our leader. I was in my late forties when I realized the dream of Bat Mitzvah.
Thank you for your lovely comments and congrats.
Shalom 😀
Rochelle
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Congrats Rochelle! Would be eagerly waiting for the book. 🙂
I love the character studies.
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Thank you, Norma. I do plan to continue the character studies. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, I love these. Thanks again for sharing Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle, a hearty congratulations to you on this remarkable achievement. I’m very happy for you also proud to know you, albeit on the blogosphere. 🙂
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Dear Celestine,
I’m always happy to see your smiling face on my blog. Happy to know you, too. Thank you for stopping by with well wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loving the character studies. Havah sounds very interesting indeed. I like people that push the boundaries. 🙂
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Dear Susan,
The character studies were my agent Jeanie’s idea. It turns out that I’m having a great time with them. Glad you like them, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh! There is a sequel! I needs must get it. If it’s half as good as “Please Say Kaddish For Me”…
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Dear Dale,
In some ways I like From Silt and Ashes better. I’m pleased that you liked Please Say Kaddish for Me. Would you mind writing a review on Amazon.com?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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With pleasure!
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Thank you!
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