13 November 2026

Published November 11, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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 © Nobbinmaug

Photo Prompt Description: Front and center is a banged up metal pan filled with water and leaves. A stream of water appears to be going from the faucet attached to the wall. At closer glance the water isn’t coming from the faucet but is frozen. There’s a black hose coiled in the rocks. In the upper part of the photo there’s a terra cotter planger and some bushes. Have fun with this one!

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FOR THE DEAD AND THE LIVING, WE MUST BEAR WITNESS*

I remember it like it was yesterday. November 9, 1963. Frozen in time. My father took me downtown to celebrate my 10^th birthday.

His German accent sounded like music. “Where shall we go, schatzi?”

I skipped along the sidewalk, holding his hand. Suddenly, he stopped and went to his knees in front of a synagogue with stained glass windows. Slipping off his hat, he covered his face.

“What’s the matter, Vati?”

“Meine Schande. Those magnificent windows. Shattered! 25 years ago today. Schweinehund! Jewish stores and synagogues—destroyed! While those rabid dogs threw rocks, I—I stood by and did nothing.”

*Elie Wiesel

It’s been 88 years this week since Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass. We say “Never again!” Yet, antisemitism is rising.

7 November 2026

Published November 4, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Nancy Richy

Today’s lovely photo from the Elephant’s Trunk is a nighttime scene. Lights and trees line the street in the background. There’s a building in the background to the right. In front is a circular fountain. The water, a beautiful shade of blue is lit from the bottom. We see colored lights through the streams of water.

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The photo prompt is new but my story has been around the blog a few times. As I post this a day ahead, it falls on election day. With seemingly a bazillion things to do I hope you’ll forgive this rerun.

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?” Avraham 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.”

**Note the round badges on their clothing to identify them as Jews. There’s nothing new under the sun.**

19 December 2025

Published December 17, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Peter Abbey

This week’s photo is of silouhetted figures on the beach and in the water. The sun is reflecting off the water. There are whispy clouds overhead.

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Genre: Fiction with a lot of Fact
Word Count: 100

The first day of Hanukkah began with shots and wailing heard around the world.

LIGHT ONE CANDLE

“Hurry up, Milka!” said Eli. “We’re going miss the candle lighting on the beach. And it’s our first holiday in Australia.”

Ten-year-old Milka moaned, “I don’t feel so great.”

Noticing her daughter’s flushed cheeks, Naomi felt her forehead. “You’re burning up. No party for us.”

Reciting a prayer for the sick, Eli and Naomi tucked Milka into bed. Naomi’s cell phone rang.

“Hag Samayakh, Mom. How are things in New York?”

Mom’s voice was tinged with panic. “Please, tell me you’re safe!”

“Milka’s sick, but other than that…”

“You’re home, then?”

“Yes. Why?”

“HaShem be praised. Turn on the news.”

10 November 2023

Published November 8, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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.

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November 9 marks the 85th anniversary of the pogrom known as Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass. It’s hard to capture the horror of it in a mere one hundred words. Could it happen again?

Genre: Hysterical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WASH. RINSE. REPEAT.

“Tomorrow is November 10^th, and I will be six.” Shifra kissed Papa as he tucked her in. “And all my friends will bring presents to my party.”

“Sweet dreams, my birthday princess,” said Mama.

Without warning a brick crashed through the window. Mama shielded her from shattering glass. Trembling in terror, Shifra clung to her.

Papa looked outside, tears streaming. “They’ve set the synagogue on fire!”

****

October 7^th. A month shy of her ninety-first birthday, Shifra clung to her great-grandson. Outside she heard the screams all over the Kibbutz. Trembling, she bowed her head and braced herself for another Kristallnacht.