Imbued with hope, courage, and resiliency, The Spirit of Ruchel Leah recounts the story of one woman's determination for more than mere survival in the face of unimaginable obstacles. Commentary on her correspondence and those of extended family members, encompassing all aspects of the Holocaust, is placed in historical, social, and religious context.
Stymied by the bureaucracy of the United States immigration policies, Ruchel Leah pursued obtaining the proper documentation so her daughter, Elka could immigrate to "The Golden Land". As the murderous wings of the Nazi hordes enveloped Poland, the family fled east into Soviet Russia. Until her final letter, Ruchel Leah continued to express her resolution to save at least one child from the Holocaust.
Then, silence. Ruchel Leah, her husband, Anschel Taus, daughters, Elka and Surcha, and her brother, Moshe Blum were lost in the milieu of the Holocaust.
In writing The Spirit of Ruchel Leah, parallel yet divergent sagas of survival emerged, each unique and with different conclusions. Consistent throughout was the unimaginable determination, courage, and persistence for survival exhibited to protect and save their families, particularly their children.
The Spirit of Ruchel Leah is a wide ranging Holocaust book which takes the reader on a complete educational journey. The book is international in scope ranging from Poland and New York to Belarus, Soviet Russia, Cuba, Cyprus, Israel, Brazil, and Paris.
Our legacy is The Spirit of Ruchel Leah.
"For the dead and the living, we must bear witness." Eli Wiesel, Holocaust survivor
We will never forget!