“A thin stream of smoke issued through Hershel’s pursed lips. ‘Practical wisdom is one thing, Rebbe, but study of the Holy Writings is quite another. Some things are not meant to be. I ask you, if we start sending our daughters to Heder, who will cook and take care of the home?’ He wagged his finger under Arel’s nose. ‘Would you want your wife studying at your side instead of raising your children?’”
~~taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
In the beginning of the story, Cantor Hershel Levine’s ideas about women seem rigid and traditional. While his arranged marriage to Fruma Ya’el is a union of mutual tolerance, the demons from his past keep it from being a happy one. He finds his greatest joy and treasure in their daughter, Gittel whom he refers to as the sweetest of flittering birds.
As a firm believer in tzedakah, religious and moral obligation, he readily takes on the role of Havah’s legal guardian. Nothing like Gittel, Havah challenges his convictions and eventually wins his heart.
Published by Argus Publishing
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency
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Check out my author page on the Loiacono Website. For all of the character studies thus far, click on the link Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Art and Blogs.
Available Internationally on Kindle and in Print
ANGUS & ROBERTSON AMAZON B&N BAM BOOKWORLD FISHPOND SHELFARI BOOK DEPOSITORY WATERSTONES GOODREADS IDREAMBOOKS
Reshared on Twitter and Facebook. Pinned it on my Pinterest board. 🙂
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Thank you, Susan for spreading the word. 😀 Compliments don’t get much better.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At least he wasn’t so stuck in his ways that he couldn’t be won over!
Thanks for the video. Cantor Davidoff is so lyrical! Lovely to listen to (wish I understood!)
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Dear Dale,
Hershel was one of those characters that developed and changed from my original intentions. It’s amazing how these people wrote their own stories.
As for the Kaddish translation you can find it here. https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/character-study-arel-gitterman/
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love when that happens!
Thank you for the translation!
Shalom
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Pretty interesting post, thanks for sharing it with us Rochelle! 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by, Lily.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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By giving this man both faults and virtues and change in his views, Rochelle, you’re made him seem very real. Well written as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I really enjoyed Hershel’s development in the story. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Men are like him…pretty rigid in defining the roles of men and women…all around the world throughout the ages. But only some are sensible enough to change and when that happens either due to love or devotion to any female (i.e. wife, mother, sister or girlfriend) he sees what women really are. Some of them can also feel their pain or frustration of any kind. A transformation in a character always shows possibilities of all kinds.
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Dear Norma,
Hershel was really a sweet character to write. He grew in my heart and mind as i wrote his story. What’s funny is that he started out in the earliest drafts as a rigid, angry man but wrote himself into something else entirely.
Thank you for commenting on my character study. I hope you’ll read my book to get the whole story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So, he whispered in your ears to transform him. 😉 Transformation in a character is always interesting to see and read as a writer and a reader both.
It’s there on my list. I’ll go with the kindle version though (I think I’ll miss on those beautiful sketches). Will surely let you know when I’ve read it or started reading it. 🙂
Take care, Rochelle.
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The sketches in the book do appear in the Kindle version, although not the character studies. These are only online presently. My agent has suggested I have prints made and sell them at book signings. Another artist friend thinks I need to publish them in a separate book.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so happy that they’ll appear in the kindle version too. I think they are lovely and since the book belongs to a specific time period they make an interesting combo. Plus I think your agent’s suggestion seems right.
I hope you are in good health after your surgery (you had mentioned it last week). Take care! 🙂
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