The Diario: The Daring Escape of Two Sephardic Jews from Turkey to America During World War I

"The Diario is a page turner-brisk, smart, and suspenseful. Wonderfully translated from Ladino by Prof. Ascher and illuminated by her introduction, this escape narrative is an eye-opener for general readers and a treasure for scholars."

- Jane Mushabac, author of His Hundred Years, A Tale

A memoir, tale of adventure, and letter to family left behind, Alfred Ascher's diario (diary) recounts his and his brother Albert's remarkable journey of escape, from their native Smyrna (Izmir), Turkey to New York in 1915. The Diario presents Alfred's account, set against the chaotic backdrop of World War I, in its original and idiosyncratic Ladino, side-by-side with an elucidating English translation. With her scholarly expertise, Gloria Ascher also provides linguistic and cultural context to better understand Alfred's work, in its own right and as part of a current resurgence of interest in Ladino. Filled with typical Sephardic humor, openness, and joy of life, The Diario is sure to entertain and inspire all who read it with renewed courage and hope.

Alfred Ascher was born in Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey in 1892 to Yakov and Rachel (Rosa) Arditti Ascher. He attended the Alliance Israélite Universelle school in Smyrna, and, like his older brother, Albert, was a French citizen-dangerous in Turkey during World War I. They escaped from Turkey in 1915 to wait out the war in Greece, but eventually left for New York. There Alfred met and married Claire Eliscu. They were blessed with two children, Lorraine and Robert, and the family settled in Far Rockaway, NY. After serving as head supervisor for steamship companies in New York, Alfred retired to St. Petersburg, Florida. Claire died in 1949. Alfred's second wife, Beatrice Brean, died in or before 1978. In that year he moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, near his daughter. Alfred Ascher died on January, 26th, 1986, leaving a legacy of devotion, generosity, courage, and fun.

Gloria J. Ascher was born in the Bronx, New York to Emanuel and Esther (Ganon) Ascher, Ladino-speaking Sephardic Jews from Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey. She attended the Bronx H.S. of Science, Hunter College, the University of Bonn (Fulbright Grant), and Yale University. As Associate Professor (now Emerita) of German, Scandinavian and Judaic Studies and founding Co-director of Judaic Studies at Tufts University, she taught Ladino Language and Culture on all levels, beginning with an introductory course in January, 2000, through May, 2017-the first regularly offered, substantially enrolled Ladino courses at a U.S. college or university. She prepared English editions of Matilda Koén-Sarano's Ladino textbooks for beginners and advanced students, and has written and presented on Ladino and Sephardic subjects, and on Old Norse and German literature. She sings and composes songs and writes poems in Ladino, and teaches the language independently.