10 July 2015

Published July 8, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it tell you a story?

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BELOW THE WALL

“Hurry, Annika.” Vati whispered, glanced over his shoulder at the border guards and pulled me by the hand down Bernauer Strasse.

“What about Fritz?”

“Forget him!”

Blinded by tears, I stumbled into a crowded building once used as a toilettenhäuschen where we followed other refugees through a hole in the floor. My father held me as we crawled through the dank tunnel. Within minutes we were lifted out on the other side.

While others shouted for joy I mourned my loss.

“Don’t cry, Liebling.” Vati grinned and took a groggy puppy from his coat pocket. “I couldn’t forget him either.”

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More for those who can spare 3:30 extra minutes.

3 July 2015

Published July 1, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. What story does it have to tell?

PHOTO PROMPT – © Jean L. Hays

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Genre: Hysterical Fiction

Word Count: 100

GENERATIONS

“Summer of 1954. What a heatwave,” said Great-Gran. “We didn’t have air conditioning. My boyfriend and I went to the drive-in theater on Saturday nights. If we were lucky there’d be a decent breeze and a good flick like Roman Holiday or From Here to Eternity.”

“I saw them on Netflix.” Fourteen-year-old Megan loved old movies, the older the better. “Burt Lancaster was really hot in that sex scene on the beach.”

“I missed that part of the movie but I think the one in Bobby’s Bel-Air topped it.” Great-Gran’s eyes sparkled.

“Does Gramps know he’s a passion pit baby?”

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Character Study – Tova Gitterman Resnick

Published June 30, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“Finally Havah raised her head to glare at the other woman. Under different circumstances she would have pitied her. At thirty-one Tova looked closer to fifty. Years of abuse had worn lines into her face. Childbearing had left its mark on her slight frame, curving her spine and bowing her shoulders.”

~~taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Published by Argus Publishing

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

TOVA GITTERMAN RESNIC - Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

TOVA GITTERMAN RESNICK – Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

At the age of fourteen, Arel’s sister Tova Gitterman, Yussel’s second eldest child, was a dark haired, grey eyed beauty. Feivel Resnick, then seventeen, fancied himself in love with her and begged the rabbi for her hand. However Yussel informed him that she was already promised. Not to be refused, Feivel stalked her until the day he cornered her doing laundry at the river.

When Tova was found to be pregnant with Feivel’s child it rendered her betrothal agreement null and void. Rabbi Yussel felt he had no choice but to sanction the marriage for honor’s sake.

Instead of the fulfillment of his dreams, Feivel feels trapped. He is an abusive drunkard who squanders his meager earnings on drink and takes out his frustrations on Tova. As Please Say Kaddish for Me opens, Tova is pregnant with their fifth child.

After the baby’s birth, Tova signs an agreement for her eldest to marry the shoemaker who is twice the girl’s age. Havah is indignant and accuses Tova of selling her daughter into slavery for a pair of shoes.

As time passes, Havah learns that life isn’t always a simple matter of right and wrong. While she may never agree with Tova’s decision she does come to respect the woman’s inner strength.

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.

Trailer by Kent Bonham

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Character Study – Itzak Abromovich

Published June 21, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“Itzak reminded her [Havah] of a bear cub, short and stout with black, curly hair. His beard seemed to be as unruly as the young man himself. His dark eyes shimmered like midnight stars.”

~~taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

ITZAK ABROMOVICH -Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Itzak Abromovich is a cabinetmaker by trade who is also a gifted woodcarver. Because his uniquely crafted furniture is sought after by certain Kishinev aristocrats Itzak has been issued official papers granting him permission to travel beyond the boundaries of Svechka.

He’s not only a skilled craftsman but a talented fiddler as well which endears him to Ulrich Dietrich, the pianist. Often furniture deliveries will end with an evening of music in the wealthy German professor’s mansion.

At first meeting, Havah points out that Itzak is the embodiment of his name, pronounced in Hebrew ‘yitz-khak’ which literally translates, ‘he will laugh.’ In nearly any given situation, no matter how bleak, he can find a kernel of humor.

Published by Argus Publishing

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com

You can find it here or here.

Feel free leave a review at either site or both sites. 😉

Thank you and Shalom,

Rochelle

Character Study – Shayndel Gitterman Abromovich

Published June 20, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“Shayndel’s knee length hair shone like honey in the sun and her round cheeks glowed. Havah felt shriveled and pale next to her.”

~~Taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Published by Argus Publishing

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

SHAYNDEL GITTERMAN ABROMOVICH – Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Shayndel Gitterman Abromovich’s marriage to Itzak the cabinetmaker was arranged when they were still children and, as Itzak tells Arel, “it was meant to be.” Like her brother, Shayndel has never questioned the traditional roles of Jewish men and women within the shtetl. In Itzak, Shayndel has found her beshert, her soulmate.

Although Havah sees Shayndel as being too accepting and Shayndel sees Havah as rebellious, an unbreakable bond forms between them.

You can read more about Havah, Arel and Shayndel here:

PSK Cover with border Which you can find here.

If you’ve already read Please Say Kaddish for Me, please leave a review on Amazon.

Thank you.

Shalom,

Rochelle

19 June 2015

Published June 17, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Tell me in a hundred words or less.

It seems a small thing to ask, but when posting your story, even if you’re using more than one prompt, please post the prompt as well for that sense of connection.

PHOTO PROMPT – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 99

CROSSFADE

Ornate chandeliers bathed Vienna’s Burgtheater stage with light. A young actor took a final bow and his father cheered, “Bravo!”

Afterwards in his dressing room Johann pleaded, “Bitte, Papa, come with me to America.”

“Soon, Johann.” Papa tied a scarf around Johann’s neck. “Soon.”

***

Had Papa perished in Mauthausen-Gusen, Buchenwald or Auschwitz?

Johann fingered the remains of the threadbare scarf in his pocket. What would Papa make of him now; an orphaned Jew in a Wehrmacht uniform standing in front of television cameras repeating the catchphrase he had heard for twenty years of searching, “I see nothing! Nothing!”

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Character Study – Nikolai Derevenko

Published May 25, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“I hope Ulrich and that doctor person like chicken sandwiches.” She [Havah] limped to the icebox and pulled out a plate of leftover chicken.

After she set the plate on the table she searched the many drawers for a knife. Before she could cut into the crusty bread on the counter, a masculine hand reached around her and took the knife. “Allow me. You’re liable to slice off your fingers.”

“Must you always be so rude?” She whirled around and glared at Dr. Nikolai.

With surgical precision he cut the bread into even slices and stacked them on a platter. He peered at her over his spectacles with one raised eyebrow. “Or so gentile?”

~~Taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

W & B Publishers

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

Havah dislikes the dispassionate Russian, Dr. Nikolai Derevenko, Ulrich’s housemate. Nikolai returns her feelings and makes it clear to her that he has little patience for most people, women in particular.

As the story unfolds she learns that he’s an accomplished flautist who chose medicine over music and his aloof demeanor masks the grieving heart of a father who’s lost his only child.

In Dr. Nikolai Havah will find a true friend and champion.

Available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in Kindle or Paperback

22 May 2015

Published May 20, 2015 by rochellewisoff

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of sharing lunch and laughter with fellow fictioneers David Stewart and Marie Gail Stratford. It’s always fun to meet the face behind the keyboard.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program. 😉

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Study it. What does it say to you? Remember, it’s about what you see, not what you’re looking at. 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BLUE SHADOWS

Dark clouds loomed overhead as the boy picked a cotton boll and stuffed it into the heavy sack on his shoulder. Rain, mingled with sweat, soaked his thin muslin shirt. He closed his eyes and listened to spirituals on the wind.

Back in the cabin that night, he played his new guitar and sang to his grandmother who shook her head.

“What I gonna do wit you, boy? Fifteen hard-earned dollars for a hunk-a wood and then you uses it for devil music.”

“Dontcha see?” said Riley B. King. “I gotta. The blues is bleedin’ the same blood as me.”

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R.I.P.

B B King

September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015

CHARACTER STUDY – GITTEL LEVINE

Published May 18, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“Words refused to come from Arel’s mouth. His feet felt like stones. Diverting his gaze to Gittel, his intended since he was thirteen, his mind swirled like leaves on the wind. Tall and slender, she had an innocent beauty that emanated from the depths of a tender soul. Her auburn hair made a silken cape around her slim shoulders. He had, heretofore, enjoyed the prospect of making her his wife.”

~~Taken from Please Say Kaddish for Me by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

W&B publishers

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

Gittel is Fruma Ya’el’s daughter with Cantor Levine. At first, grief-stricken and in severe physical pain, Havah, wants nothing to do with the talkative girl. Gittel, who tends to look for the good in people, accepts Havah’s insults with gentle compassion. It’s not long before Gittel wins her over.

The girls, who are both sixteen, become confidantes, friends and sisters. The only wedge between them is Arel.

Available through Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or W&B Publishers

1 May 2015

Published April 29, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it tell you a story? Write it in a hundred words or less.

get the InLinkz code

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

FINAL SOLUTION

“These madmen take everything,” cried Leah. “They brand us like cattle because we are Jews and you do nothing?”

“How does one fight a pack of rabid dogs?” Abraham rubbed a painful lump on the back of his head. “Finish packing. We set sail in the morning while we still can.”

“They cannot have my grandmother’s bracelet.”

“Leave it! What’s a bauble when our people are being exterminated like cockroaches?”

Letting the bracelet fall from her fingers, she collapsed into his arms. “España is our home.”

“Querida, you are my home. 1493 in Portugal—it will be a better year.”

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Jews were forced to wear golden-yellow badges for identification. There’s nothing new under the sun.

History Lovers Click Here

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My novel, Please Say Kaddish for Me, is still available for preorder at a reduced price here.The Kindle version is available for preorder at Amazon.com.

Published by W&B Publishers