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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
RECLAMATION
I am Uzit, a warrior beside Yehuda Maccabee, the Hammer.
I shall never forget how Antiochus’ men defiled our sacred altar with a pig. They slaughtered my baby brother Ezra and made my mother carry his body around her neck.
A soldier cast his lethal eyes on me. “What a pretty little Judean creature.”
I replied with my sword.
We resisted the Greeks, and we prevailed.
***
Uzit Rabinowitz skimmed her fingers over the rough stones of an ancient building. “1949 in the Promised Land.” She caressed her infant son Ezra. “Antiochus couldn’t destroy us. Nor could the Führer. We prevailed.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I like the female warrior figure
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Dear Neil,
It seemed right for Women’s History Month. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it rochelle! ❤ ❤
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So glad, Carol Anne. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful images in this writing Rochelle,
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Thank you, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An echo through time… Nicely done.
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Thank you, Trent.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Feels a powerful moment in history. Well done, Rochelle.
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Dear Mason,
Sadly history has many gory moments. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sure does, especially in ancient times.
Thanks for reading.
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Powerful and inspiring Rochelle.
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Thank you, Iain.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s either fight or die, and sometimes both. Such a horrific thing war is and does to humans, the planet, and the beauty of life.
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Dear Lisa,
We can’t help but see what war is doing to the beautiful cities of Ukraine can we? I don’t understand it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I think it is a mass haunting, and a living nightmare for the Ukrainians and other nearby potential targets. You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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This is a beautiful story of survival, strength passed down through generations. Rochelle.
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Dear Nobbin,
And we see it happening in Ukraine, don’t we? Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Ukraine situation is mind-boggling and heartbreaking.
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So powerful, Rochelle. I am struggling with the fate of baby Ezra and his mother. Hard to imagine, yet a trauma experienced in so many way and so many times over the centuries.
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Dear Jen
Sadly there is a grisly history behind the Hanukkah story. This was one of those horrid things I picked up by researching the history. And, yes, history has repeated itself and continues to do so. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great tale of survival and resistance.
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Thank you, m’luv. ❤
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A powerful story that feels all too timely, up to this present day.
Shalom.
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Dear Anne,
Although my story actually ends in 1949, we can’t help but see a correlation to what’s happening now in Ukraine, can we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I feel the power in her strength and in her mighty sword.
I didn’t see anything about the photograph. Is it from Isreal?
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Never underestimate the power of a woman. 😉
Yes, the photo is in Israel. I got to go in 2019 with Cuzzin Kent. The ruins are fascinating. This was Bet Sha’an. Gracias.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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How fascinating that something about this took both of us to a revisiting. Of sorts.
Then again, perhaps it is the nature of the place the photo depicts, which we both know.
Well penned, my friend.
Here’s to prevailing.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Here I am on Tuesday afternoon scrambling to reply to comments. The place definitely has a lot to do with the inspiration. No doubt there was more than one אשת חייל who stood her ground and prevailed.
תודה ושלום
רחל 😉
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Indeed!
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Powerfully told, Rochelle.
With an assured and confident stance, you told this heroic story well. A short, but wonderful read.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Thank you for such a magnificent comment. One that makes writing worth the effort.
Shalom,
Last-Minute Rochelle
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Any time, Rochelle.
Know that all you do is appreciated. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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History is brutal. We, humans, don’t seem to learn.
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Dear Tanille,
You’d think we’d learn but we don’t. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A story of courage and determination. And persistence. Such stories echo down the years. Beautifully done.
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Dear Sandra,
Sadly the echoes continue. But the stories must be told. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Against all odds, they prevailed, deservedly so. A terrific tale, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Keith. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An appropriate response.
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Thak you, Danny.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Took me a little while to respond to this one … looked at the picture a multitude of times before my brain kicked in with an idea! 😊
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Glad to hear it, Ami. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you liked my story, too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Most certainly! Well done! 😊
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Thank you for replying to my fishing, Ami. 😉 Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No worries. My apologies for not complimenting you in my original post! 🙏
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Hi Rochelle. Great story and a great way of tying Jewish history together, especially with the similar names. Have a great weekend!
David
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Dear David,
Happy to see you here this week. Glad you caught the tie-ins of the histories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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visiting ancient sites reinforces our appreciation of history and their ramifications to what we are today. well done.
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Thank you so much, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Prevailing through the ages against all-comers. Nice one 🙂
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Thank you, Ali. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve tied the past and the present together beautifully in this. How tragic that the common threads that connect them are hatred and brutality; I hope there will always be people like Uzit to resist these forces. She surely is a warrior.
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Dear Margaret,
The name Uzit means strength. It seemed like the right name. Now we watch Uzit’s sisters in Ukraine. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is a great wish to let the past rest among the ruins of history. However, it seems that evil and hatred percolate through the generations. Hope and peace must prevail.
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Dear James,
If humans hand down nothing from generation to generation, it’s how to make war. May we pass peace along as well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Peace prevail! Lovely piece Rochelle
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Many thanks, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
YIKES … I usually read your story when I post mine to your link but had forgotten.
Memory meds needed LOL
I loved the way you read your story. It was much more interseting then when I read it.
Your voice draws the listener in. What a powerful woman!!! A very appropriate story for Women’s History month. Bravo …
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Actualmente, I did have Women’s History month in mind so I’m glad you picked up on that. 😉 And this is your second comment on this story. Thank you. I feel blessed.
Thank you for commenting on my reading. It’s become kind of a thing because one of our FF’rs is visually impaired. She remarked once how much she enjoyed heating as well as trying to read. I’m glad you like it, too.
Gracias y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Thanks for the laugh. Usually, I do things in a pattern to keep from forgetting where I am in my blog follows. Lately, it’s not working. Either it’s time to change that routine or end blogging. I’m not as quick at responding to posts which is very sad. I enjoy the post but forget to respomd or have and do it again. Que pena es ver viaja.
Gracias mu amiga … Salud y Amor
Isadora
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Dear Rochelle,
Beautifully written,my friend. History (and present time) does not lack for those who must fight for their right to live. Women, especially, seem too often to be unheralded. Not with you around, they don’t!
Shalom and Lotsa resilient love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I have to admire women who can rise to the occasion. Of course the women in my story are works of fiction. But they have true counterparts all over the world. Particularly in Ukraine presently. Thank you for your glowing words.
Shalom and lotsa firm hugs,
Rochelle
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Absolutely. Doesn’t matter if they are because there are real ones out there 🙂
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Righteous anger.
Hopefully one day her fight will end victorious !
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Dear Laurie,
We can only hope. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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