The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette.
Please be considerate and make an effort to stay within the suggested word count.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
WHERE HEAVEN BENDS TOWARDS YOU
” March 1622
Tesoro Ansaldo,
My heart dies for your letters.
You used to liken me to the Jewish Queen Ester.
Do you now spurn me because I refuse to embrace your Christus? Does this make me a heretic? So be it! But never have I denied the eternal soul of man as you so accuse. I wrote only that the mind informs us and is where mortal and immortal are confined.
Thus, I confine myself to Gheto Vechio…”
Blinded by tears, the old monk set Sarra Copia’s letter ablaze in the candle flame. “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.”
.
.
.
or
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Oh. What a heartfelt story, Rochelle. ❤
Thank you for another beautiful prompt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Rosema,
Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
My pleasure on the photo prompt. For me, this one’s a reminder of a very enjoyable day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh. It is my pleasure, Rochelle. I have written my story and it will be published on Friday. 🙂
Thank you again! 🙂
LikeLike
You know you don’t have to wait until Friday, Rosema. The rest of us certainly don’t 😉
LikeLike
This will make me go look for her poetry, the divide of the river seems to be like the gheto itself… and not standing up can be a sin as well…
LikeLike
Dear Björn,
Her poetry’s hard to find. I managed to find an article that had a few of her sonnets. The photo put me in mind of the Venetian ghetto, which is where the word itself originated. Agreed about sin. Silence can be the greatest sin of all.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Lovely romantic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dawn. 😀
LikeLike
Very nice, Rochelle.
LikeLike
Thank you, Adam.
LikeLike
Thank you for enlightening me on the origin of the word ‘ghetto’ as well as giving an insight to a part of Italian-Jewish history that I knew nothing of. But then that is what you do, and so very well.
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
I’ve known for some time that the word ‘ghetto’ was not original with such places as Harlem, but had to do with the Jews. It’s only recently that I learned the history went back farther than the Pale of Settlement in Eastern Europe.
Thank you for the encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Almost every week you teleport me to a day and time I would not have known anything about before, and every week I’m enriched by it. Beautiful, as always, Rochelle!
LikeLike
Dear Melony,
Your words are affirming and much appreciated. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you for bringing this remarkable woman out in the light Rochelle. As always, I appreciate the way you distill the essential in your story and keep the tone true to its historical context.
This was a great prompt. We can go in so many directions! I am curious to see where FFs are going to go with it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Emmy,
I cherish comments such as yours. As always, I love finding women such as Sarra Copia Sullam in my research. She was way before her time and sadly passed over by historians.
The photo, which of course was taken nowhere near Venice, is one of my favorites because it was such a lovely day.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully told. I am partial to a letter form, one of my favorite ways to tell a story.
LikeLike
Dear Loré,
Since Sarra’s relationship with Ansaldo Cebà was through letter only it seemed the way to go. I’m so glad you liked it and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah the good old days, where it took days or weeks to communicate heartbreak.
Exquisitely written piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear C.E.
Your sweet words are music to my eyes. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Good story, and as always, another history lesson about something I didn’t know.
LikeLike
Thanks m’love.
LikeLike
Another lovely story based on the pages of history, Well written as always, Rochelle.. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Suzanne,
I’m back in that groove…for this week, at least. 😉 So glad you liked it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
As Melony said, you often transport us to a different time and enlighten us with historical facts. Another delightful piece. Alicia
LikeLike
Dear Alicia,
I’m happy to have taken you along on my own little journey. I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you Rochelle. You seem to have a gift for historic fiction. I was caught up in the emotion then had to google Sarra Coppia. So I have learned something. Thanks.
LikeLike
Dear Jenny,
Your comment fills me with smiles. There are so many people in history who’ve made wonderful contributions while going virtually unnoticed. I’m always happy to find these, particularly when they’re women. 😉 Glad you felt the need to Google.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Your writing is always interesting, once again I have learned about new pages in history
LikeLike
Thank you, Michael. 😀
LikeLike
Another really interesting slice of history I knew nothing about.
LikeLike
Thank you, Claire.
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
What a poignant and heartbreaking piece of history! I learned something by following the links, and I love the way you told the story.
Peace,
Marie Gail
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Marie Gail,
Thank you for those wonderful words of affirmation. They mean a lot.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve done it again, Rochelle! I will not bore you with commentary that sound exactly like the many before me. You blow me away each and every time you bring a piece of history through some picture – that has nothing to do with it but has so inspired you… Love! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Recently a friend sent me a link to an article about the Venetian Ghetto. When I chose the photo, the article came back to mind, ie the canals and such. (Nowhere near Upstate New York). Of course I had to follow the trail which led me to Sarra Copia Sullam. A strong Jewish woman…couldn’t resist that, could I?
I hope I haven’t bored you with my commentary. Let me be more concise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
No, you never bore me! You are an endless fount of information! (And never, ever a bore!)
Dale xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for introducing me to an educated woman from all those centuries ago. I had to read others’ comments to link it to the prompt, but I got there in the end!
LikeLike
Dear Liz,
So many women in history were passed over. I always enjoy finding them and giving recognition. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wow! Once again you introduce me to amazing people. I just HAD to read to followon links you provided. She sounds like an incredible woman. Thanks so much for bringing history alive. Great stuff, Rochelle! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Eric,
I’m glad you enjoyed the journey and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a powerful story – both the real history, and your own historical fiction version of it! Sara Coppio Sullam sounds like a truly enlightened and original mind. Wish I could find some of her poetry!
As always, you educate, enlighten and entertain us all with your sensitive and empathy-infused stories.
P.S. I used to have to enlighten my students about where the word “ghetto” originated, during the time of the year when we did a study of non-fiction, fiction and poetry from the Holocaust period in history. It ALWAYS took them by surprise, but it never fails to surprise me that people don’t actually see how letters and words are put together to give away a word’s geographical origin. (I mean, the word SOUNDS Italian!)
And I used to have to correct certain students whenever they used the term “ghetto” as a put-down, or even as a noun denoting blackness.]
A story is forth-coming! (This has been an extremely satisfying period of poetry-writing and story-writing for me – I’ve been writing at least four posts a day for the past few days, except today – but then, today is NOT yet over, so who knows?)!
LikeLike
Dear Vijaya,
You always leave such magnificent comments. I did find a link with some of her poetry which is where I got some of the dialogue and the title. Here’s a link to a sonnet of hers. I can’t find the other link. http://www.bartleby.com/98/234.html
Thank you.
Shalom,
YFBM Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
I look forward to checking out her poetry.
Peace,
Vijaya
LikeLike
Lovely and another nice piece of history. I think I learn more from your stories than I did in history lessons at school 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ali,
That’s a high compliment indeed. Actually, I’m learning more about history now than I ever learned in school. 😉
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Intriguing and interesting. Great story in so few words.
LikeLike
Thank you, Athling. 😀
LikeLike
Beautiful and heartbreaking. What I like the most in your history stories is that you so often feature interesting and strong women who otherwise would be all too easily forgotten. It was never easy for women to leave their mark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabriele,
At least Sarra’s story wasn’t completely lost. The internet is such a marvelous resource.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness. I am blinded by my tears. What a beautifully written piece.
LikeLike
Dear Lindy,
Tears are high praise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Gorgeous piece. So full of emotion. wonderfully written Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you, Laurie. I’m glad it struck a chord for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m glad you have kept her memory alive. she seems to be a remarkable woman.
LikeLike
Dear Plaridel
I’m always pleased to find these obscure people in history. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It takes an amazing woman to unearth and bring to life another amazing woman from history lane 🙂 Enjoyed this story and the history lesson. Inspiring story.
LikeLike
Dear Ansumani,
Your comment makes me blush. Thank you on all counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
And they didn’t burn her at the stake? How dare a female of that time have a mind!
LikeLike
Dear Alice,
Apparently her father encouraged her to use her mind. Although, in the end, it did get her in trouble.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
This is a brilliant one. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you, Hilary. 😀
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Wow! What a beautiful heart renching letter. Thank you for sharing your fab photo, it was very inspiring!
Heidi
🙂
LikeLike
Dear Heidi,
Thank you for such glowing comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Peppermint Patty,
I followed the link and read up on this gal. She would have made a good Fictioneer, but the 100 word limit might have been a challenge for her. Not everyone can write a manifesto, but it obviously rhymes with pesto, which is helpful if you’re a poet.
Just sayin’
Murphy
LikeLike
Dear Murphy,
I think I’ll stick with prose for a prose by any other name…oh never mind. Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
PP
LikeLike
I love the story of Queen Esther. What a hero! Nice story.
LikeLike
Dear Jenn,
Queen Esther has always been a favorite of mine as is the holiday Purim that celebrates her victory over the wicked Haman.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must admit I had to read the links before I fully appreciated this one Rochelle, but having done so I felt a great sympathy for both characters. You give us only Sara’s words, but somehow also give us a strong sense of the monk.
Jen
LikeLike
Dear Jen,
Sorry about the lateness of my reply. Life has been like that lately, although I’m sure you know this. 😉
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful as always, history with emotion. And thanks for the photo, it is quit welcome at the end of winter here!
LikeLike
Dear Samantha,
Spring and love is in the air. 😉 Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle, this is quite a fascinating story. I’m curious how you find all these intriguing historical figures. Great picture as well. Is that taken in the KC area? It reminds me of a place along the Mississippi, not far from here, although I know it’s not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David,
If a person looks in the right places, those obscure historical figures are there for the writing. The river put me in mind of the canals of Venice. A friend and I had recently been discussing the word ghetto and how it came from the Venetian ghetto. The research trail let me to a mention of Sara Copio Sullam (spelling is different in each place). So there you go.
As for the photo, it’s the Mohawk in Upstate New York. We took a trip there summer before last. The antique shop I snapped the photo from was a great place, too. A lot of colonial history in the area.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Lotsa ideas coming down the pike, I see. Research, ah, research!
A+
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Cuzzin Kent,
Rochelle and Research both begin with R which rhymes with bar with takes me no-wharr. Never mind. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelly
LikeLike
And that rhymes with pool.
LikeLike
I had no idea that the word ghetto was derived from Venice. I always learn something new from you, Rochelle. This is rich story with layers of meaning. So much to grasp in such few words. Masterfully done. I’m a bit late this week!
LikeLike
Dear Amy,
I’m a bit getting late to reply to comments. Busy, crazy week. I’m glad you enjoyed and even learned something from my story. I love it when I can find and convey those historical nuggets. These days it’s a bit of a challenge. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So much history and heartbreak—I read your links and you’ve touched on so much in these hundred words! I particularly enjoyed the line, ‘I wrote only that the mind informs us and is where mortal and immortal are confined.’ Lovely voice, and a fascinating character. The final image of the weeping monk burning the letter is incredibly vivid as well. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Helena,
Thank you for such generous comments. It’s always nice to get such great feedback.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great linkage of people and history to make the past come alive. Thanks for the lovely photo as well!
LikeLike
Dear Erin,
When I write these kinds of pieces, history comes alive for me. I’m pleased when this happens for a reader, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you for your story and the links–I wasn’t aware of Sarra Copia. I appreciate learning about the bits of history you provide in many of your stories!
LikeLike
Dear Emily,
I’m always happy to find these people in history and to be able to pass the info along. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
what all man had done in the name of religion.
LikeLike
Dear Arora,
Horrible things have been done in the name of religion. What happened to faith, love and hope?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You’ve appealed to heart and mind this week, Rochelle. I feel for poor Sarra, as she pours out her anguish, and the links provide fascinating insights into history. Interesting that the encyclopaedia mentions that Sarra’s refutations of her accusers’ charges were sarcastic, as well as clear and logical. She sounds like a force to be reckoned with. Cheers, Margaret
LikeLike
Dear Margaret,
Sarra does sound like a person I’d like to meet. I’m glad you enjoyed my story and the links. So much to learn so little time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great title.
Just been in Ethiopia and met a door knocking missionary from the US out to convert the Christians, the Jews, the Muslims and the animists. Idiot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Patrick,
As I commented earlier…What happened to faith, hope and love? Hope you’ve rested from your travels. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I am very seriously late this week. Maybe, after you read my little non-fic write for this week’s prompt you’ll understand. I’ve been river watching…sigh… Anyway, I’ll be spinning through some of the stories today to read and comment. Have a good week!
LikeLike
A very touching story, Rochelle. How often repeated across the generations, couples split by religion… ❤
LikeLike
Dear Jelli,
In the case of Sarra and her monk, there’s was a long distance friendship, connected only by letters. I relate to her well on an electronic level. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes, friendships developed by letters last the longest and are indeed the most treasured of all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating dive into history, have spent time looking up references to Sarra Copia Sulam including this http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/sullam-sara-coppia
LikeLike
Thank you, Subroto. I’m glad you enjoyed. Did you happen to check out the links I provided as well?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I did indeed and am still looking up to find if I can get an online translated version.
LikeLike