Summary

In the prologue, a year after leaving the Hasidic community, 24-year-old Deborah Feldman interviews her mother, Rachel. Because Rachel left the Hasidic community when Deborah was a child, Deborah has many familial questions. Rachel came to America from Germany to marry Deborah's father. Families only sent away for brides if the man was difficult to marry off; Deborah's father was mentally ill. After Rachel left the community, Deborah's aunt Chaya took her in. Because Chaya was unkind, Deborah soon moved with her grandparents: Bubby and Zeidy. The family lived in brownstone tenements in Williamsburg.

In Chapter 1, "In Search of My Secret Power," young Deborah goes with her father to turn on the ovens at the local bakery. She feels important, believing her father is important. Sometimes he takes her with him to his airport job. The airport makes her want to travel...