Character Study – Anzya

Published August 10, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“‘Stir the stew every ten minutes, Princess. Don’t let it burn.’ With a threatening scowl Anzya shoved past her nearly upsetting the laundry. Her mouth made a thin line under her narrow nose. She secured a black shawl over her kerchief.

“The sour woman seldom spoke and never smiled. Perhaps she had no teeth. When Havah asked Ulrich about her he said she was as much of a mystery as when she first came to work for him a year ago.”

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

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Ulrich’s kitchen is completely Kosher because he’s given his Jewish cook, Anzya, free rein. For reasons Havah, doesn’t understand, he is compassionate toward the bitter woman even though she returns his caring with animosity.

Anzya regards Havah with disdain and sarcastically calls her Princess.

At one point in the story, in a fit of anger she asks Havah, “How can you be so friendly to him? How can you let him touch you?”

“Ulrich? Why don’t you like him?”

“He’s a goy. Isn’t that reason enough?”

Anzya will soon understand that Ulrich isn’t just another gentile, nor is Havah a pampered princess.

***

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

If you’ve read and enjoyed, please leave a review on one of these sites. It helps sell books. 😉

Shalom,

Rochelle

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7 August 2015

Published August 5, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PROMPT. A few of you may recognize it from three years ago, although for most I think it will be new. Due to a current emergency, I’ll be recuperating from oral surgery by the time this post goes live. Next week will also be a repeat to allow more time to visit with out of town guests. So if I don’t answer your comments right away or comment on your story, you’ll know the reason why. Thanks to all of you for your understanding.

Shalom, Rochelle

PHOTO PROMPT -© Madison Woods

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I posted the original version of this story May 11, 2012. I’ve taken the liberty of reworking it. The beauty of writing is that there’s always room to grow. If you’d like to read the original click here.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

SLEEPWALK

Like a pearl brooch pinned to mottled velvet, the moon shone through a web of tree branches. A desperate voice yelled her name.

It was always the same dream. Kanzie would wake with a scream to everyday shadows and feel relieved by her comfortable darkness.

Then one night she woke up outside. Mississippi air stuck to her skin like a damp cloak. For the first time in twenty years she saw the trees rustling in the wind. Memories seared her.

Why did white-robed ghosts put that rope around her gentle Daddy’s neck? His terror-filled eyes drilled her.

“Kanzie, don’t look.”

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Character Study – Hershel Levine

Published July 20, 2015 by rochellewisoff

“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

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17 July 2015

Published July 15, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. What do you see and where do you see it? Think Thoreau.

PHOTO PROMPT- © Sandra Crook

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

LE RÉSEAU COMÈTE

“Patrick, spit that paper out.”

“But, I want to be a hero like you, Maman.”

“Where do you get such ideas?”

“I heard Papa say you’re a hero because you ate paper. Is that true?”

***

Nine years ago while riding her bicycle on the outskirts of Paris on a Resistance mission, Virginia d’Albert-Lake had been stopped and taken to a nearby police station.

“Where’s the list?” demanded the expressionless uniform.

“What list?”

“You ate it, didn’t you?”

Her scalp tingled and her gorge rose as she fought to keep down a swallowed lump of paper.

***

“Yes, it’s true.”

Women in the French Resistance

There’s more to the story:

An American Heroine

10 July 2015

Published July 8, 2015 by rochellewisoff

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

PHOTO PROMPT © Stephen Baum

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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 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’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.

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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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