The Night of the Burning (20 page)

One such attack inspired this work of historical fiction, based on what is known of the childhood of my late mother-in-law and her sister, and of the momentous rescue of the “Ochberg orphans.” Isaac Ochberg, Alexander Bobrow, Regina Engel, Judge Joseph Herbstein, the Steins, the Kagans, Mr. Mark Cohen, Miss Rosa van Gelderen, and little Faygele (Fanny Shrier Lockitch) were real people who played important roles in the lives of Devorah [Duh-VOR-ah] and Nechama [nuh-KHA-mah] Lehrman, but I have fictionalized most of their actions and words. To the orphans in the book I have given the first names of children who were part of the actual group, in tribute, although no resemblance is intended.

—L.P.W.

Cholent (CHOH-luhnt)—A slow-cooking stew of beans, potatoes, and sometimes meat, traditionally prepared before the Sabbath and kept warm to be eaten at lunch on Saturday.

Kreplach (KREP-lekh)—Small dumplings filled with meat, cheese, or potato.

Mamaleh (MAH-muh-luh)—Literally, “sweet little mother,” but often used to mean “sweet little girl.”

Shabbes (SHAH-biss)—The day of Sabbath, which stretches from dusk on Friday to after nightfall on Saturday.

Shema (Shuh-MAH)—The central prayer of the Jewish religion, proclaiming the oneness of God, which is recited morning and evening.

Shiva (SHIH-vuh)—The traditional week of mourning after a Jew is buried, during which bereaved family members sit on cushions or a low couch, attended by visitors.

Shochet (SHOW-khet)—A slaughterer who is qualified by Jewish law to check that an animal is fit for consumption and to kill it in the quickest way.

Shtetl (SHTEH-t’l)—A small town or village where mostly Jews lived in Eastern Europe, up until the Second World War.

Shul (SHOOL)—Synagogue; a Jewish place of worship and study and also the center of the community.

Tsigele (TSIH-guh-luh)—A little goat.

Yarmulke (YAHR-muhl-kuh)—Skullcap or kippah, worn by most observant males at all times and by other Jewish males (and sometimes females) in the synagogue and while praying.

A reading group guide for this book is available on
www.bloomsbury.com/LindaPressWulf
.

First published in Great Britain in 2007 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 36 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QY This paperback edition first published in 2008 First published in the USA by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2006

Copyright © 2006 Linda Press Wulf

The moral right of the author has been asserted All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 0 7475 9134 4

All papers used by Bloomsbury Publishing are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. Printed in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives Plc

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
www.bloomsbury.com