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Leaving Russia
Rifka is trying to leave their home in Berdichev, Russia with her family to get to Poland on the train. They must leave because her brother, Nathan, ran away from the army. Now they are looking for him so that they can excecute him. She keeps them from finding Nathan on the train. -
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Rifka's Journey
Rifka's journey to America took about a year. Her and her family faced many hardships. On the way there she wrote letters to her cousin, Tovah. -
Getting to Poland
When Rifka and her family reach the Polish border, the doctors must examine her. The guards take her belongings away, and make her strip down to get checked by the doctor. When she reaches Poland she realizes it is juist like Russia. Now she wonders if America will be the same. -
Suffering Through Sickness
Rifka gets Typhus, and is very sick, and finds it hard to communtcate with her family and the medical student diagnosing her. As she starts to heal, her family gets very sick. Her mama, papa, and Nathan get taken away to a hospital, and while in her sleep scratched her chest until it bled! -
Raging Hunger
Rifka and Saul live in a small room, and Saul gets them some food everyday. A hering and a Roll. The innkeeper's Daughter steals food from Rifka, and Saul does nothing about it. Rifka is very hungry. Rifka visits her mother in the hospital everyday, waiting for her mother to move, or to show any signs of life. -
The Fascionating train
As Rifka sits on the train, she thinks about where she is, and where she is going. She me3ets a nice lady with a sweet baby. As she fixed the lady's hair, Rifka told her about her journey to America. Once she finishes fixing the lady's hair, the lady wishes her luck in America. -
Tragedies
Rifka gets inspected by a doctor with her mother. She finds out she has ringworm, and can't go to America until it heals. She knows that her family must go anyway. Then Rifka gives all of her family's food money away for an orange, and then is accused of stealing. Her father is then forced to give him the rest of the money. -
New Home in Belgium
Rifka finds out that until her disease is cured, she may not continue to America with her family. She finds out that she will live in Belgium with a nice family until she is healed. She is angry, because she can't go back to her old home. -
A New Home
Rifka meets the family she with ive with. The names of the nice people are Marie, and Gaston. The lady who treats Rifka's ringworm talks to her about the importance of clenliness while she has her disease, and makes her new kercheifs. -
Discovering New Land
Rifka desides to try to find a new route to get back to her new home. While out she gets lost. She can't find her way back, and it gets dark. Now she is scared, cold, sad, and lost. When she sees the milk man, he gives her a ride back home on his cart, and she was very greatful. -
The Wonders of Belgium
Rifka discovers that she likes it in Belgium. She likes the people, because they are all nice. She likes the chocolate, because she says it's like a little peice of heaven. She loves that everyday the ice cream man comes around with his dog. Rifka loves Belgium! -
Good News
Rifka finds out her ringworm has healed fully, and now she may join her family in America! Rifka goes to the steamship company with the HIAS lady, and buys her ticket to America. Rifka has practiced her English, and is excited to go to America and be with her family. -
A New Friend
While on the steamship, Rifka meets a nice shipworker, Pieter. They sing to each other, and tell jokes. He takes care of Rifka and treats her very nicely. She says he teases her like Saul, but she likes it when he teases her. They got closer, and closer, and then he kissed her, but ran away embarassed. -
The Storm
When a horrible storm came about, everyone was scurrying around trying to keep safe. Pieter saved Rifka's life, and told her to go keep safe. After the storm ended, Rifka went to find Pieter. She found out he had died during the stom. Rifka went back to her cabin and cried for Pieter. She did not want him to die. -
Almost There
Rifka is almost to America. She prepares to leave the ship. As she is getting ready to leave she hears a cry from the deck. From the deck they can see the Statue of Liberty, and people are cheering. They are almost there. -
Ellis Island
Rifka is forced to stay on Ellis island. A lady explains to her, it is because of the ringworm she had in Europe. She has to stay on Ellis island until they figure out what to do with her. -
The Little Mother
Rifka is in Ellis Island, and takes care of a little Polish baby who has no family. She also helps a little Russian peseant boy. The nurse that has an intrest in her was telling her she was like a little mother. -
The Visit
One day Saul skipped school, and went to visit Rifka. He is dressed differently. He is also surprised at Rifka, now she can speak and read in english. Rifka gave Saul money, and he left. -
The Second Visit
Rifka's mom comes to visit her in Ellis Island. She asks about her journey, and Rifka tells her all about it. When Rifka has to go help out, her mother stays and watches her. She is proud of Rifka's english, and her duties, but Rifka doesn't want her mother to find out about the Russian boy. -
Paper
Rifka and the little Russian boyget caught playing with toilet paper. They run afraid the man might hurt them that caught them. When they tell the doctor about what happened, she laughs and tells them that there is plenty of paper, and not to worry. She then gives them more paper. -
Sadness
Rifka finds her poor baby dead. She died of the typhus. Rifka is sad, and thinks she might have ringworm again. Now she is filled with sadness. -
Hair
When Rifka and the Russian boy get inspected, his reading gets him to America with his uncle. Rifka is so happy for him. When Rifka gets inspected, she convinced them not to check her hair. She can go to America. When they change their minds and inspect her hair, it is not ringworm as she thought, it is hair! She can go to America!!!
