The most dramatic operation she [Fruma Ya’el] had done in twenty years was to extract a well-deserved bullet from Pinkas Rabinovich’s backside after a tavern brawl. Never did she imagine she would be called upon to perform such grisly surgery as she had on a poor orphan. She wiped the amputation blade with her rag and laid it in the mahogany case between a pair of scissors and a scalpel. What else could she have done? Sometimes life left one no choices.
Taken from PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Although Havah’s introduction to Fruma Ya’el is a painful one, she will become one of the most important people in the girl’s life.
Fruma Ya’el Levine, the cantor’s wife, is a one of Svechka’s most beloved citizens for she is the village midwife. She is proud of the fact that she’s seen most of the babies’ faces before their own mothers. Her great love of children has earned her the title of Auntie Fruma.
In her youth she had the opportunity to immigrate to America to study medicine, but tragic circumstances barred the way. Trapped in an arranged and empty marriage, she pours her love into her only living child, Gittel.
Fruma Ya’el sees in Havah the passionately intelligent girl she used to be. Little by little an ironclad bond forms between them.
Published by W&B Publishers
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency
***
As a child growing up in a Jewish family, it never occurred to me that not everyone had a Hebrew name. My friend Lori Ginson was proud of her Yiddish/Hebrew name “Fruma Ya’el,” meaning Pious Strength of God. However Lori was a troubled soul and died much too young. I think she would be pleased that I gave her name to one of the strongest characters in my novels.
Lori “Fruma Ya’el” Ginson
1962-2004
Ah, yes. Hard to believe it was over ten years ago.
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I know.
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Dear Rochelle,
And so it grows….your new world’s main characters. Very nice.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Round and round it goes, where the new world takes me…and my characters…who, by the way, are very real to me…;)
uoht knay.
malohs,
Rochelle
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Yes, I’m quite sure Lori would have been pleased.
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Dear Chris,
I love it that you’ve come by to comment. I’m pretty sure Lori would be ecstatic. She was quite childlike and loving. I can imagine her giggle and the big hug I’d get from her.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve made your characters so very real, Rochelle. they sound as though they could walk out of the book. I’m sure your friend would be very pleased you’ve used her name. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
After nine years, these are real people who seem to have written their own stories. I really do hear voices and I write what they tell me. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read, comment and love these people as much as I.
shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tribute to your friend.
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Thank you, Liz. I’m pretty sure Lori would be pleased.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course this will be my favorite character. “Sometimes life left one no choices..”Only a real healer would say it in that matter of fact way.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Fruma Ya’el is among my favorite characters. Over nine years she’s divulged quite a few of her secrets to me. 😉
Thank you for coming by with your kind words. I hope you’re feeling better.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Who would not want a Fruma Ya’el in their life? Such a wonderful woman (and I am so happy you gave her happiness in the end, too!)
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Dear Dale,
Of all of the characters, I’d say she’s the one who evolved the most with each incarnation of the manuscript. One thing that became apparent to me was that Havah couldn’t go to America without her “parents.”
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And I was soooo happy they did!
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