Federation Star - November 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

20A Federation Star November 2019 JEWISH INTEREST Inspired by actual events, this novel for all readers should become a Young Adult classic Book review by Philip K. Jason, Special to the Federation Star My Real Name is Hanna, by Tara Lynn Masih. Mandel Vilar Press. 208 pages. Trade paperback with flap $16.95. In her brilliant, poetic novel that reads like Holocaust testimony, Tara Lynn Masih presents a family’s horrifying journey to escape ultimate victimhood. In her early teens as the narrative begins, Hanna Slivka, as if keeping a diary, takes her future readers through the steps of her family’s struggle with Nazi oppression. In important ways a comingof-age story, this novel begins by describing the Phil Jason situation for Jews in the small town (shtetele) Kwasova as Nazi forces cross the border into Soviet-occupied Ukraine. Kwasova is a community that has been Austrian and Polish; its residents can’t be sure what it will become next. This is especially true of its Jewish community, which before Hitler’s tyranny could at least get along with its non-Jewish neighbors. The attempt to relocate and/or annihilate the Jew begins with orders to brand them. Hannah’s father Abram tells the family, “The SS issued orders to the Ukrainian police and the Jewish Council. Jews are now being ordered to register and to make their own armbands, a blue Mogen Dovid, our Jewish star, sewn onto a white background.” As the status of even substantial Jewish families falls, Abram realizes that maintaining housing and obtaining food will soon become impossible. It is also clear that hiding in barns, which worked for a while, won’t work anymore as their fellow townspeople will betray them. Money and cherished valuables are disappearing. Now the Jewish families of the town must somehow disappear as well. The victims, in public opinion and via effective propaganda, have been transformed into the cause of the war that is threatening all of Europe. Through her teenage narrator, Ms. Masih shows the material and psychological effects of these circumstances on the members of this family and another family with which they make joint plans for survival. They need to act quickly before they are marched into ghettos or simply murdered “in plain sight” to underscore SS power. There is a feature of their lives that is especially moving. Facing disaster, these Jewish families manage to observe their religion’s precepts and holy days. They hide the synagogue’s Torah and other important items. Such dedication becomes a source of strength. How does a family hide in a forest? After walking a great distance from Kwasova, they come across a run-down isolated forestry station that will become their home. It is built from logs, and the gaps are filled with moss. They had carried with them as much as they could. Her father and Uncle Levi make a roundtrip to and from the town for much-needed tools and other supplies. Now they can modify the cabin to fit their needs. They discover a small stream with clear water that will serve their need for hygiene and food preparation. They must arrange their days to avoid detection of their lantern light and smoke from the fire, and they must find the wood to feed the fire. In constant fear, the family members support one another and search for sustenance. They obtain nutrition from the wild vegetation. Sometimes they can scrounge a chicken, yet most of the time they are starving. Abram risks occasional trips to the shtetele for flour and kerosene. The snow drifts are a big obstacle, and he must avoid leaving tracks in the snow. Networking with others, he establishes a coded way of leaving messages on a tree. It’s a silent, secret language. It helps with a much-needed commodity – news about what’s going on in the world around and beyond them. News of Hitler’s war. The people in this nomadic entourage of relatives represent a spectrum of age groups, but it is Hanna who holds our attention as she helps take care of her younger siblings and as she muses about building her relationship with Leon Stadnick, who is two years her senior. They pray to make it to their next birthdays. These children are growing up fast and taking on adult tasks and risks. Fearing that the Germans will eventually find them in the forest, Abram decides to take advantage of news about habitable caves, the gypsum caves of Kwasova, “where darkness is even darker than light.” Making a safe haven out of the caves is even Tara Lynn Masih more difficult and dangerous than living in the forest cabin, but it serves the group’s purposes as a place to survive the Holocaust, which in this case means until the Russians return to Kwasova and drive the Germans out. However, the eventual allied victory does not promote, politically or psychologically, a vision of return to the once familiar home territory. The Slivka family and some of those who hid with them in the forest and the caves decide to build new identities and lives in the United States. From beginning to end, the story told is one of a cooperative effort. The family is aided in many ways by some members of their Kwasova community. Among these people are the Cohan twins, Pavel and Jacob, who are always showing up with the news or goods that the Slivkas need. Both early and late in the story, their dearest neighbor, Alla Petrovich, is of great support and encouragement to the family. She carries the “righteous Christian” role in the story, and her colored eggs seem to make miracles possible. On the other hand, few of the townspeople show any desire for the possible return of their former neighbors. Tara Lynn Masih blends diligent research, blazing imagination and sophisticated literary technique in this transformational narrative. Marketed as a Young Adult novel, it can engage and educate readers all across the age spectrum. This novel can be richly explored with the help of an easily available Reader’s and Teacher’s Guide. Go to http://taramasih.com/my-real-name-ishanna-readers-guide.pdf Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus of English from the United States Naval Academy. He reviews regularly for Florida Weekly, Washington Independent Review of Books, Southern Literary Review, other publications and the Jewish Book Council. Please visit Phil’s website at www.philjason.word press.com. Stay connected at www.jewishnaples.org ELEVENTH ANNUAL ELEVENTH MARCO ISLAND ANNUAL COMMUNITY MARCO ISLAND CHANUKAH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Sponsored by Sponsored by Residents and Guests on Marco Island And Vicinity are invited to CELEBRATE on Residents and Guests on Marco Island And Vicinity SATURDAY, are invited December to CELEBRATE 28, 2019 on Time: 5:45 PM SATURDAY, December 28, 2019 Jewish Congregation of Marco Island 991 Time: Winterberry 5:45 PM Drive Jewish Congregation Marco Island, FL of 34145 Marco Island 991 (239) Winterberry 642-0800 Drive Marco www.marcojcmi.com Island, FL 34145 (239) 642-0800 Join us for a Candle Lighting Ceremony www.marcojcmi.com And Chanukah Music Lots Join of us holiday for a Candle spirit for Lighting the entire Ceremony family And Complimentary Chanukah Music Lots of holiday Chanukah spirit holiday for the treats entire family Complimentary Will be served! Chanukah holiday treats Will be served!
JEWISH INTEREST November 2019 Federation Star 21A INFORMATIONAL LUNCHEON Tuesday | November 12 th or Friday | November 22 nd | 11:30 AM In our Sales Gallery located at 7330 Premier Drive RSVP by calling 239-842-2558 Stay on the road less traveled Always a leader. Driven by excellence. You arrived where you are today by seeking the best and not settling for less. Why start now? One community will meet your highest expectations. From the lakefront, brilliantly designed, spacious residences to exquisite dining, concierge physicians and personalized healthcare that’s included, this is what you’ve been waiting for. Create your future here. Entrance fees from $1.5 million and 70% refundable Sales Gallery open Monday - Friday | 7330 Premier Drive, Naples Call 239-842-2558 | Visit MooringsParkGL.com #88033 ratings by Fitch and S&P. All dimensions are approximate. Actual gross square footage may vary. All images are conceptual renderings and
Page 1 and 2: OF GREATER NAPLES PRESENTS: IAC SPE
Page 3 and 4: JEWISH FEDERATION November 2019 Fed
Page 5 and 6: JEWISH FEDERATION Celebrating Jewis
Page 11 and 12: COMMUNITY FOCUS November 2019 Feder
Page 13 and 14: COMMUNITY FOCUS Symbolic butterflie
Page 15 and 16: COMMUNITY FOCUS November 2019 Feder
Page 17 and 18: JEWISH INTEREST November 2019 Feder
Page 19: JEWISH INTEREST Stars of David By N
Page 23 and 24: JEWISH INTEREST SIGN UP FOR THE FED
Page 25 and 26: COMMENTARY November 2019 Federation
Page 27 and 28: ORGANIZATIONS November 2019 Federat
Page 29 and 30: FOCUS ON YOUTH Naples BBYO happenin
Page 31 and 32: COMMUNITY DIRECTORY November 2019 F
Page 33 and 34: Celebrating Jewish Life in Greater
Page 35 and 36: ARTS & CULTURE November 2019 Federa
Page 37 and 38: ARTS & CULTURE The NOC is now the N
Page 43 and 44: ARTS & CULTURE Holocaust Museum’s
Page 45 and 46: November 5, 2019 - March 11, 2020 1
Page 47 and 48: Monday, December 2 • 11:30 a.m. -

Federation Star - November 2019

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?