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.
PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart
This week’s photo is of a long sidewalk. One woman is walking along it. There’s a wall to right with a wrought iron fence and greenery peaking through. To the other side of the sidewalk is a row of trees and a street beside it.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
DIGNITY OVER FEAR
“What if someone had found out?” Sarah held her daughter tightly in her arms. “What were you thinking?”
Rabbi Aharon Neuwirth scowled. “Obviously our child wasn’t thinking at all.”
As she pulled away, Yocheved’s blue eyes spilled over. She smiled and pushed back a lock of blonde hair. “I wanted to see the opening ceremony. All those athletes from all over the world. Besides, they thought I was just another Arian girl. But…”
“But what?” asked the rabbi.
“They gave me flowers to present to—him. I-I couldn’t. Oh, Mama. Papa. I’ve looked into the eyes of der Teufel himself.”






I am sure she was terrified! I would have been.
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Dear Violet,
I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like. The stuff nightmares are made of. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a terrible moment, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
Terrible…terrifying…horrifying. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I vividly remember the terror of watching Indiana Jones accidentally come face-to-face with *him* and his choice to blend in as a fan. My heart was in my mouth for a fictional character in a contrived setting. I have nothing but the greatest respect for a young girl who made a different decision in the face of real danger.
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Dear Jen,
The pictures of him are frightening enough. Face to face? I don’t know what I’d do. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope that more people in your beleaguered country can find that sort of courage today, m’lady.
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Dear C.E.
A hearty thank you. Something’s gotta give…hopefully sooner than later.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an incredible moment and the rest of the story from the link, even more so.
You have a magic touch with words.
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Dear Mary,
It’s nice to see you here. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my goodness, what a dreadful moment for that young girl.
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Dear Chris,
I sure it was a moment she never forgot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That would have been horrifying.
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I can only imagine, James.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for sharing this with us Rochelle, thanks too for the link. What an incredible person she was.
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Dear Keith,
I’m so glad you went to the link. She was one amazing human being, wasn’t she? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You went for the jugular with this one! Talk about courage. Lots of adults would have been lacking, no doubt.
Shalom and lotsa courageous love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It was one of those stories that came across my FB feed so I had to pursue it. She lived an amazing life after that. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa bravely given (someday) hugs,
Rochelle
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Good for her!
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I have just read her story a fascinating account – amazing, this brave young girl stood by her beliefs and continued to do so for her whole life – thanks for sharing Rochelle 🩷
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Dear Angela,
I’m so glad you went on to read more about her. She was quite a woman. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🩷
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Excellent story and you know what struck me, was the year 1936.
Breaks my heart to see that year, 1936, because of knowing the escalation was just getting amped up for Nazi Germany to commit one of the worst crimes against humanity in history!
good story and glad she refused.
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Dear Yvette,
Horrible times. Thank you re my story. She was an amazing woman.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💚🙂 – thanks for the reply – and sorry I had to miss joining in this week.
wishing you a great day
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OMG! That girl’s courage is incredible. While grown people just bent over and licked his boots. I wonder if she survived.
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Dear Joy,
Amazing what the population will swallow, isn’t it? Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shaom,
Rochelle
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What an amazing display of courage and strength.
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Indeed Will. Great courage.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for her. But how terrifying
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Dear Laurie,
I can’t imagine just how terrifying. And to have that kind of resolve at 13. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a tough position in which to be put. I would probably do it just because I wouldn’t be able to think. Then, I’d be mad at myself later.
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Dear Nobbin,
I don’t know what I’d do in that position…probably submit out of fear. And be mad at myself later, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Imagine the courage it took for her to stand by her beliefs! What an incredible story of determination, bravery, and faith. Wonderful, Rochelle.
Shalom
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Pretty amazing that a thirteen-year-old child had that kind of courage. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hi Rochelle! Can you put a description of the photo in for me so I can participate? Xo
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It’s done Carol Anne. In my haste to get the post up I forgot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As always, you bring a true story to life by telling us about the emotions. What an amazing life she had, and what an amazing, brave woman she was.
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Dear Gabi,
I can only imagine what was going through that girl’s head. Like her parents in my story I’d have to ask, “What were you thinking???” Thank you for reading and going on to learn more.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ja, in jedem Menschen wont ein Teufel.
If only more people had her courage at the time, then Europe would have been a better place.
James.
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Dear James,
I suppose every person has the potential for good and evil. SHe definitely was courageous. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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thanks Rochelle, sorry my German spelling was off. ‘wohnt’ was auto corrected in my original comment above.
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You find so many interesting historical things.
This was one brave soul with stedfast feelings.
It’s been a minute. Life … and, all of its complexities.
Have a great weekend, Isadora 😎
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Querida Izzie,
It’s good to see you here. You’ve been missed. I understand about life getting in the way. John Lennon sang it so well in the line, “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”
Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Thank youi for the Christmas card with all the little sparkly things. 😉
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HA HA those confetti sparkles either create a bit of laughter or annoyances. I have a friend who was a kindergarten teacher. She introduced me to the fun of confetti. It’s good to be back. My health is better and improving everyday. Hope to get those cobwebs out really fast. Abrazos xoxo
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What a terrifying moment for a young girl, and she chose “dignity over fear.” It says a lot about her. Excellent and inspiring story, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
She knew who she was, didn’t she? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what an inspiring story. thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle, this story was so good! I really enjoyed your take, you do write great historical fiction!
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Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, Carol Anne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this story. Yocheved’s dignity and courage are inspiring. We need more like her.
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Dear Michele,
We definitely need more Yocheveds in this day and age. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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