Andrew DurosWorld LiteratureMs.YoungLetters From RifkaBy Karen HessetCan you envision yourself being in a country alone while the rest of your family travels across countries without you? In the book Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse, a young Jewish girl named Rifka, has to go through an experience such as escaping religious belief and running away from pogroms. She endures prejudice, displays family loyalty, and shows perseverance and growth. tIn the early 1900’s, Russians are prejudice towards Jews, such as Rifka and her family. Soldiers and guards stole from them and treated them disrespectively. The Russians use the Jews as scapegoats, so that when a Jewish family does something against law, the Jews are in for a burden. As Rifka says at the beginning of the book, “ The guards spoke ill of us, not because of anything we had done, not because of anything we said. Just because we were Jews.”(Hesse 25). When Rifka and her family were trying to escape on the train, Rifka’s task was to distract the guards. During that time period, most people assumed that stereotypes were true. Rifka’s blonde hair and blue eyes gave her the image that she was Russian. If they were to find out that she was a Jew, Rifka and her family would be in for the worst. Probably be beaten or more likely killed. It’s difficult to live a life in Russia when you’re a Jew.ttDuring the journey, family loyalty is shown in numerous ways. Rifka is separated from her family muliple times. Yet, every time they reunite they have an even stronger bond. While on the expedition for an escape to America, no matter how long they are separated; Rifka’s family always manages to join together once again. When they get back together, happiness fills the air. “I was so happy that I thought my heart had broken open like an egg,” (Hesse 98). Rifka recorded, in her Pushkin book. Whether it is a short time, like when men and women are separated during the doctors inspection in Poland or a long amount of time, such as when Rifka stays behind waiting for her ringworm to heal while the rest of the family goes to America, it shows the families strength and bond. Another example of family loyalty in Rifka’s story is when the entire family gets typhus besides Saul, after Rifka heals from the disease. Saul makes sure they have a place to sleep and stay at, while he also took a job just so they can have food. When they did get something to eat, Saul split it equally between himself and Rifka even though he needed more since he is older and working. He shows that family is the most important thing in times like these, so you have to take care of them no matter what.tThroughout the experiences Rifka has encounters, she matures and begins to understand how unfair life can be, but you have to learn to accept it. She shows perseverance and growth. For example, when Rifka first met Ilya, she thought he was just another prejudice Russian peasant who wanted to make her life more miserable. But she soon realizes that he is just a young boy, so she becomes an adult by helping him to show the doctors he was not a simpleton, so he can go on to America. The nurses at the hospital called Rifka the “little mother” because she cared for him as if they were family. Rifka has gone through events such as the orange seller cheating Rifka out of her money because she has never seen an orange before, therefore not knowing how much it would cost. Or when Saul and Rifka were staying at the hotel, the owner’s daughter stole Rifka’s food that she saved for Saul. Also, when Rifka was in Belgium, she thought people were not going to accept her because she was bald, so she hid in her room all day. Sister Katrina ,a nun nurse who worked at the hospital, help her realize that people should not care if she has hair or not. She makes Rifka go around town and explore, to help her grow and understand real life. If any of these occurrences that happen at the very beginning of the book, we all reckon that Rifka would act more like a coward and take the easier route. Now, she knows that you can’t always get what you want.tRifka went through many tough times, but through all of the prejudice she made it. With family loyalty helping her go the right way during hard situations she eventually understood ways of life. It is incredible how much Rifka has grown and persevered over the months, making her an extraordinary lady. Overall, Rifka got through the taunting and cruel acts of life and was pulled into a new, better lifestyle with her family.“Here Rifka Nebrot,” he said. “Welcome to America.” (Hesse 161).tOverall, Letters From Rifka, is a charming read and quite the page turner about Rifka being separated by her family and her facing the world alone for most of the time. In her hometown, not only just Rifka and her family but all Jewish people in her town hate those types of people because they’re not Russian. I’d say that’s a good example of religuous motif. Also, she fought bravely and always kept reminding herself that she could see her family again in the United States. Even though, it wasn’t one of my favorite books, I still enjoyed it! The more I got into the book, the more exciting the book was! I have to say, Letters From Rifka, was filled with knowledge about Rifka, her family, friends, and about what she had to do in order to earn freedom. If I could give this book six out of five stars, I most definitely would! Instead I will give it an energetic five out of five stars. I highly recommend reading this book because honestly this book is quite miraculous.
Letters from Rifka, by Karen HesseI first ordered "Letters from Rifka" from a book magazine when I was a kid, and it's a book I've held onto for about a decade. Rifka and her family are Jews in a time when Jews are hated by the Russians. Jewish boys are enlisted into the Russian army against their will, forced to do hard menial labor such as digging latrines. Jewish families are terrorized, and are generally afraid for their safety. The only way out is to leave the country, and go to America. A clever girl, Rifka keeps a record of the journey by writing letters to her cousin in a book of Pushkin's poetry. Each new letter starts with a quote from a Pushkin poem, and each snippet neatly fits the events described in that letter. I normally don't care for poetry, but the quotes added an authentic feel to the letters, and really set the mood for me. The main story follows Rifka and her family as they flee for America, and the family runs into several problems on their journey. First typhus, then ringworm strike, and Rifka is separated from her family for over a year to undergo treatment. Sent to Belgium while the rest of her family goes to America, Rifka experiences a degree of independence she'd never before known. When she finally reaches Ellis Island, Rifka is tested yet again. Will she be able to join her family in America? "Letters from Rifka" is a good introductory book for children interested in Jewish history, and particularly for girls. Rifka is a very strong character, and her struggles are triumphs are inspiring. The author based the story in part on a relative's experiences. 4/5.
What do You think about Letters From Rifka (1993)?
I have the same exact story
—Nathaly
Letters from Rifka is about a girl who is traveling from Russia to America in the midst of WWII. It also shows how immigrants felt about coming to America. This book will make you cry and laugh many times.Rifka’s journey begins when she has to distract the Russian guards, so they don’t catch her family sneaking into Poland. Since she has blond curly hair she is her family’s only hope until her Uncle Avrum arrives. After that she goes through many more challenges, like when she develops ringworm, or when she has to stay in Ellis Island because she doesn’t have any hair. Helping Rifka face all of these challenges is her Pushkin, where she writes letters to her cousin Tovah, who stayed behind in Russia. This book is for ages 11 and up. Anybody who enjoys reading and who likes to laugh will love this book.
—Christina
Read this YA book aloud with Patrick for his "Battle of the Books" summer reading list. It's actually assigned for the 6th graders at our school, but he wanted to try out for the Battle of the Books team, and they have to read several of the books. He was finding it a bit of a downer, so I picked up and read aloud to him after about the first 30 pages - it was a quick read, we finished it in about 2 hours. Very well done intro for kids to the prejudice Jews faced in Russia after WWI (the pogroms) and the immigrant experience (Ellis Island). It's also a great coming-of-age story as Rifka's illness prevents her from joining her whole family in going to America, and she's forced to spend almost a year with a foster family in Belgium while she undergoes medical treatment. She goes from being the shy "baby" of her large family of boys to discovering she can be clever after all - and stand up for herself and others, as well. I really enjoyed it and it lead to some good discussions with my son about faith and family and the immigrant experience; I know he would have struggled to finish it alone, since it didn't have a lot of "action" from a boy point of view, but he really enjoyed reading it together!
—Susan
Twelve-year-old Rifka, her two older brothers and parents flee from Russia hoping to emigrate to America and join her three much older brothers already there. 1919 Eastern Europe was hostile to Jews and her family faces persecution, theft and disease on the journey. Rifka tells her story in a series of letters to her cousin, written in the margins of a book of Pushkin. A case of ringworm causes Rifka to remain in Europe until cured. Separated from her family and forced to live and journey on her own she has an opportunity to grow and develop strengths of character that serve her well. Based on a Hesse family true-story.Letters from Rifka has dramatic events, an upbeat tone and a strong ending. Because of her gift for languages and her golden-haired ability to pass as a non-Jew, Rifka plays a central role in her family's escape. Her letters reveal her growing maturity as she moves from an insular and parochial child to a young woman able to stand up for her self and others. The crushes, fears and irritation at older brothers will have universal appeal and the dramatic events and especially strong ending on Ellis Island will hold children’s attention.The background of anti-Semitism and the immigration story make it useful for classroom use in both studies of intolerance/holocaust and immigration units. Read-alike for Diary of Anne Frank, Number the Stars. Display with other epistolary novels.
—Melissa Mcavoy
