A Russian Jewish Family (Journey Between Two Worlds)

Leder, Jane Mersky

ISBN 10: 0822534010 ISBN 13: 9780822534013

Publisher: Lerner Pub Group, 1996

Synopsis

Describes one Jewish family's fourteen year struggle to emigrate from Leningrad in the Soviet Union to Chicago, Illinois, and the adjustments they have made.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5-8-The goal of this series is to "give readers a better understanding of the daily struggles and joys of a refugee family." These two books do that and more. Once the families are introduced, a useful historical section precedes the specific situation that made these people leave their homelands. The Shurov family, who came to this country in 1990, was living well at home, and the younger son could not understand why they were leaving. He did not know that his father had been denied permission to leave the USSR years earlier. Nor had the children been taught anything about Jewish traditions because the parents feared discrimination. The Ahmet family fled their village during a military attack and lived in refugee camps in Turkey under very harsh conditions for four years. Family members make statements accusing Turks of acts such as poisoning the camp's water because "they wanted the Kurds to die." While their horror stories are valid, they also may be colored by centuries-old animosities between Turks and Kurds. Direct quotes, on the other hand, do make the book interesting and are skillfully used to introduce cultural material, especially in the section on the family's life in California. Like the Shurovs, the Ahmets relish their freedom to practice their faith. Both books have good-quality, full-color photographs; maps; an ethnic recipe or holiday feature; and a pronunciation guide. Good additions to most libraries.-Elizabeth Talbot, University of Illinois, Champaign

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0822534010
• ISBN 13: 9780822534013
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 56