17 May 2019

Published May 15, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

HOMMAGE À ALFRED NAKACHE

The guard tossed his dagger into a tank. “Bring this back to me in your teeth, like the Jew dog that you are.”

Alfred jumped into the fetid water. Diving under, Auschwitz disappeared and he remembered the crowd cheering when he set the world record for the 200 meter breastroke.

At night he’d lie in his flea-infested bunk and dream of Annie and Paule. Determination to reunite with his wife and daughter gave him the strength to survive the death march to Buchenwald.

In 1948 Alfred Nakache returned to his passion and went on to become a French national champion.

Alfred Nakache will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019 during the Honoree Induction ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 18, 2019. For more information about him CLICK HERE

10 May 2019

Published May 8, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

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As this post goes live I will be preparing to leave for Israel on a humanitarian trip 😀 So my responses and comments are bound to be slow for the next couple of weeks.

I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that I’m a huge Fiddler on the Roof fan. I suppose it’s because it depicts my heritage in such a lovely way. One of my favorite characters in the iconic movie has always been the Constable portrayed sympathetically by Louis Zourich. So here’s my take on what the Constable might have done after the eviction of the Jews of the fictitious town of Anatevka. You may notice, I gave him a name since he never had one that I’m aware of. 😉

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

SUNRISE, SUNSET

Ivan strolled along the deserted streets of Anatevka.

“What choice did I have?”

He had been a model officer, following orders to the letter.

Men and women, babes in arms, the old and lame—they took what few belongings they had while he made certain the edict was carried out.

Why did there have to be such strife? What made these Jews less human than he? Why shouldn’t Tevye hate him? The dairyman who addressed his poverty with faith and humor had earned Ivan’s undying respect.

He entered the commissioner’s office and laid his badge on the desk. “I resign.”

Tevye the dairyman

The Constable

3 May 2019

Published May 1, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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“WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER”

Eastern European immigrant Max Siegel held his eight-day-old son on his lap on a pillow.

The mohel smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve clipped dozens of schmeckles.”

Once the deed was done, the rabbi blessed the baby. “We welcome you into the covenant of Avraham on this day, in New York City on the 11^th of Adar in the year 5666—March 8, 1906”

The rabbi dropped wine into the squalling child’s mouth. “May you teach the brotherhood of mankind and may the name of Benjamin Siegel be a blessing in the House of Yisroel.”

Max kissed the baby and murmured. “Omayn.”

Glossary Words:

Mohel – A Jew trained in the practice of brit milah, the “covenant of circumcision.”

Schmeckles – Guess. 😉

Now if you’re still scratching your head and asking yourself why the name Benjamin Siegel should ring a bell:

Click to know more about BUGSY SIEGEL

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Published April 24, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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Yes, it’s me. Second time around this week. Sometimes ya just gotta take another dip in the Friday Fictioneers pool. 😉

Genre: For my own a-MUSE-ment

Word Count: 100

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

The gauntlet has been thrown with Neil’s comment, “Why don’t you write something about the future?”

I could write a dystopian story about how the honeybees are dying causing famine from a lack of pollination. I did.

I could write a story about our future being ruled by artificial intelligence, but I can’t raise the bar any higher than such authors as Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clark or Isaac Asimov already have.

Lemme give it some thought.

“Hey Siri, what kind of futuristic story should I write?”

“George Santayana said, ‘those who cannot remember history are doomed to repeat it.’”

26 April 2019

Published April 24, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Paranormal

Word Count: 100

BIRTHDAY

The swirling waves beckoned me. I imagined my obituary: ‘Sixteen-year-old Amy Weinberg Jumps to her Death… April 25, 1969.’

“He ain’t worth it,” said a voice behind me.

I whipped around. I’d seen those eyes somewhere before. “How’d you know?”

“I’m Marigold. My aunt committed suicide right here in 1937 over a dopey fella. She was our age. Guys can be such cement-mixers. Take my Charlie. He threw me over for some bimbo.

When I told Mom about my new friend, she gasped, “My sister,” and handed me a yellowed obituary:

“Sixteen-year-old Marigold Weiner Jumps to her Death…April 25, 1953”

19 April 2019

Published April 17, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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***

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

A SHOT IN THE DARK

Dora never took “no” for an answer. As a wife and a balabusta extraordinaire, she kept her Bronx apartment in immaculate order. With her children she was a rough taskmaster.

She doted on her eldest son, a docile, studious boy. “Always your head’s in a book—destined for greatness.”

She kvelled when he exceeded even her expectations.

After his City College graduation with a Bachelor of Chemistry degree, he informed her he had set his sights on law school.

“Lawyers are a dime a dozen, Jonas,” said Dora Salk. “Go to medical school. The world will thank you for it.”

Yiddishkeit Glossary:

balabusta – homemaker

kvell – burst with pride, to boast (What? You never kvelled over your kids? Say it isn’t so. 😉 )

***

*Remember Polio? If you don’t, Jonas Salk is the man to thank. I, for one, am grateful for those times I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into Dr. Cohen’s office for polio shots. A stick in the arm beats Infantile Paralysis any day of the week. 😉

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12 April 2019

Published April 10, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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This Friday, April 12 is my 7th Anniversary as a Fictioneer!!! I posted my very first story 12 April 2012

(I didn’t start as the facilitator and I had a lot to learn about reciprocation.)

Genre: Memoir

Word Count: 100

This man influenced me more than I realized all those years ago.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, UNCLE CHET

My drama teacher intimidated me. With meerschaum pipe in hand, he commanded center stage.

Etched forever in the cloisters of my memory is the day he offered my partner and me a few pointers on our duet for a drama contest. Mr. Landes dropped to his hands and knees. Tongue hanging, he yipped and sniffed.

It took every ounce of self-control to deliver my lines. “Atta boy, Snoopy, it’s a beautiful day for chasing rabbits.”

After completing the scene, Chet Landes adjusted his ascot and resumed his dignity, then turned to Kent. “That, sir, is how it’s done. Any questions?”

Note: I’ll count this as a comment. I shared the story with the other half of the duet and this was his response: “What a sweet … and hilarious … memory!And you better believe I remember this very moment. Mr. Landes playing Snoopy? Hah! Thanks for sharing, Rochelle. This is very special. Kent.”

Chet Landes Yearbook Picture

A cherished note. He addressed it to Lucy after the character I played in the scene from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Mr. Landes intent on a student.

Linus and Lucy, still friends after all these years.

Kent onstage

5 April 2019

Published April 3, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BEYOND THE BUCKSKIN CURTAIN

Wide-mouthed comic, Joe E. Brown gave Harry a movie extras card. “You oughta be in pictures, handsome.”

Harry had gained notoriety in boxing, wrestling, and lacrosse. Thoughts of seeing his name up in lights enticed him.

After playing several bit parts, he answered an audition for the new medium called television. He soon found fame to be a mixed bag of blessings and curses.

In 1963, Harry, now known as Jay Silverheels, founded the Indian Actors Workshop to encourage aspiring Indigenous performers to shoot for roles with better lines than, “Sheriff have sickness in head, Kemosabe—cannot fix with medicine.”

To learn a little more about this Canadian-born hero CLICK HERE

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22 March 2019

Published March 20, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction circa 1950

Word Count: 100

MOONS AND JUNES AND FERRIS WHEELS

Eighteen-year-old Tammy set the cake on the table. “Seventy-five candles, Grammy.”

Phoebe blew with all her might. “Wish James was here to celebrate with us.” Winded, she leaned back and shut her eyes. “We met in 1893. I was your age.

***

“May I sit here, Miss?”

Phoebe gazed into his startling blue eyes. “Certainly.”

“Think this contraption is safe?”

From their car at the top of the observation wheel, an unheard of 264 feet, she took in the whole fair. Heart pounding, she grasped his hand. He squeezed hers.

***

Tammy squeezed Phoebe’s stiff hand. “Give Gramps a kiss for me.”

For a little more about the Ferris Wheel CLICK HERE

The original Ferris Wheel at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893

15 March 2019

Published March 13, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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The following is a snippet from my books AS ONE MUST ONE CAN and A STONE FOR THE JOURNEY. Rachel is a favorite character of mine. Perhaps I’ll write a novel about her in the future. At the very least, a short story. 😉

Genre: Historical Fiction circa 1907

Word Count! 100

SHORTSIGHTED

Miss Kline glanced at three-year-old Rachel and back at Havah. “She’s—”

“Blind.” Rachel grinned. “I don’t have floppy nerves.”

“Optic nerves,” said Havah.

“May I play piano for Miss Kline, Mommy?”

“Play something pretty.”

Rachel’s dog led her to the upright piano and lay down next to it so Rachel could use her for a step stool.

“Surely you don’t allow her to bang on that lovely instrument,” whispered Miss Kline.

Havah smiled but said nothing. Rachel danced her tiny fingers across the keys.

Miss Kline clapped her hand over her mouth. “Bless my soul, it’s… it’s… Bach’s ‘Musette’!”