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Escape from Russia
Rifka's brothers had to fight in the army. If they refused they would be killed. Rifka's father decieded that no one in his family would die, so they are to run away to America. Rifka is used as bait to distract the gaurds at the train station so they could not find her family hidden in the boxcars. -
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Rifka's Journey
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Privacy in Poland
The train stops at poland. The passengers must be stripped down and searched for dieases before entering Poland. Rifka is very angry that she has no privacy and that the gaurd stole the candlesticks from her bag. -
Family Illness in Motziv
Rifka began to feel ill, so the family stopped at a distant relative's shed to rest until she feels better. While at the shed, it is learned that Rifka has come down with typhus. Meanwhile, Rifka's mom, dad, and brother Nathan came down with typhus too and are taken to the hospital. Only her brother Saul is there to care for her -
Thieves
Rifka and her brother Saul left for a new room in a run down inn. Saul worked all day to earn money for food. Rifka felt bad that Saul wasn't getting as much food as he deserves, so she saved some of her food for him. Then, the inkeeper's daughter stole the food and ran away. -
Train ride to Warsaw
All the family members are cured. Now that the family is healthy, they can leave for Warsaw. On the ride, Rifka made friends with a young women. The women found out that Rifka was a refugee. When she spoke of how she would never leave Poland, Rifka thought back to life in Russia. -
Ringworm
Before leaving for America, the family had to go through inspection again. Everyone passed except for Rifka. She is not allowed to go through to America. -
HIAS
The lady from the Hebrew Immigrants Aids Society stated that Rifka will be living with a family in Antwerp. Her family could not stay with her because it would be holding the rest of the family back from earning money. -
Life in Antwerp
Rifka said goodbye to her family as they set off for America and she setted off for Antwerp. She lived with a lovley couple named Gaston and Marie. Being very lonely,, she spent most of her day in her room. -
Lost
Rifka was walking around the streets of Antwerp when she sees an intimidating man. She quickly flees and gets lost. She feels she may not be able to get back home when she sees a milkman with a trusting face. She asks him how to get home and he loads her on his cart and takes her. -
Progress
Rifka's ringworm is getting considerably better, yet she is still bald covered by a kierchief. She made a lot of nice friends who didn't care that she was bald. Gaston and Marie found Rifka a delight. She fell in love with Antwerp. -
America bound
Rifka is finally cleared to go to America and see her family. She is very excited to see her Mama, Papa, and brothers again. The doctor sent the papers and she said her goodbyes. -
The Boat
Rifka is on a boat heading straight for America where she meets a worker on the boat named Peiter. They really connect and they hang out whenever he is not working. Peiter kisses Rifka, becomes embarassed and runs away. -
Death
There was a big storm and Rifka was pulled of the boat. Peiter pulls her back on to the boat. Rifka later found out that Peiter had passed away. Rifka went back to her cabin and cried for the first time since she left Russia. -
Ellis Island
Rifka is entering Ellis Island harbor. She can't wait to see her family when she gets to America and spend her life there. -
Detained
Rifka entered America and was examined. She was detained in a hospital on Ellis Island because they were afraid she could not get married because she had no hair. She was furious. -
Befriending the Enemy
At the hospital Rifka met a boy named Ilya. He was a Russian peasent. In Russia, Ilya and Rifka would be considered enemies. In America, Ilya and Rifka are best friends. Rifka hoped if her family found out they would understand. -
Visit
Saul visits Rifka and he doesn't reconize her. They talk for a while before Saul meets Ilya. Saul yells at Rifka for going againest the family. Rifka convinces Saul to stay and tell her whats going on with the family. -
Second Visit
Rifka 's mother arrived. Ilya kept his distance from her because he knew she wouldn't approve of him being a Russian. Rifka and Ilya feel trapped from Russa and America, not really knowing where they belong. -
Toliet Paper
Rifka chased Ilya down because he started playing with toliet paper. Toliet paper is precuios in Russia. The nurse informed Rifka that paper is plentiful in America. Rifka was embarassed. -
Baby
A baby with typhus at the hospital that Rifka was taking care of died. Rifka was heartbroken. -
At Last
Today is the day Rifka will be evaluated to see if she can join her family. The doctor thought her hair would not grow. Saul made her read the poems she wrote. They let her stay and her hair started to grow
