The Calling of the Flute
Set in Lithuania in 1897, this historical romance is the
tale of a young woman conflicted by the
traditions and laws of herreligion and a need for her own identity. For most
of her fifteen years, Hannah has loved Gershon, the Rabbi’s son.A match is made, but Hannah fears becoming a Rabbi’s wife
and having to be aperfect example of womanhood. In her mind, the traditional
cutting of her hair and wearing a wig or scarf means losing her identity. Hannah
tells Gershon how she feels and he breaks the engagement, shaming her family.
Life takes a turn forthe worse, when her young brothers’ fight with town boys
causes a pogrom, an attack by Russian Cossacks. When the Russian army comes for
her brothers to conscript them into the Czar’s army, Hannah’s aunt and uncle
offer to smuggle the boys out of Lithuania to America. Hannah begs to go with
them, despite the harrowing journey. Along the way, she meets Eli, a young
flute player, also running away from Russian conscription. Hannah’s dream of
love and life in a safe, free land, may at last be within her grasp if they
survive the voyage and get through immigration.
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