Chapters 1 - 3: Before the War; Life Under the Russians; The German Occupation Summary and Analysis

As a child, Alicia Jurman lived in Buczacz, Poland with her parents and four brothers, and Chapter one describes a rather idyllic existence for this Jewish family, proud of its heritage, it schools, and its beautiful Synagogue. The boys were musical, playing instruments and singing in the choir, while studying Hebrew in preparation for their ultimate bar mitzvahs. During her early years, Alicia did not experience Antisemitism, partially because she was protected, and, in her school, Jews and Gentiles attended and established cross-cultural friendships. Her first experience came, however, when her brother Zachary was beaten by five Polish boys while on his way to the music conservatory. Alicia first heard of Germany and war in 1938, by overhearing conversation of...