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Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
For fans of Georgia Hunter’s We Were the Lucky Ones and Anita Abriel’s The Light After the War comes a historical narrative about the lives of Jewish immigrants in the early twentieth century and one woman’s journey through adversity toward personal freedom.
At an early age, Gitel questions the expected roles of women in society and in Judaism. Born in Belorussia and brought to the US in 1911 as a child, she leads a life constrained by her religious Jewish parents. Forbidden from going to college and pushed into finding a husband, she marries Shmuel, an Orthodox Jewish pharmacist whose left-wing politics she admires. They plan to work together in a neighborhood pharmacy in Chicago—but when the Great Depression hits and their bank closes, their hopes are shattered.
In the years that follow, Shmuel’s questionable decisions, his poor health, and his bad luck plague their marriage and leave them constantly in financial distress. Gitel dreams of going back to school to become a teacher once their one daughter reaches high school, but an unexpected pregnancy quashes that aspiration as well. And when, later, a massive stroke leaves Shmuel disabled, Gitel is challenged to combine caring for him, being the breadwinner at a time when women face salary discrimination, and being present for their second daughter.
Offering an illuminating look at Jewish immigrant life in early-1900s America, Gitel’s Freedom is a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations.
At an early age, Gitel questions the expected roles of women in society and in Judaism. Born in Belorussia and brought to the US in 1911 as a child, she leads a life constrained by her religious Jewish parents. Forbidden from going to college and pushed into finding a husband, she marries Shmuel, an Orthodox Jewish pharmacist whose left-wing politics she admires. They plan to work together in a neighborhood pharmacy in Chicago—but when the Great Depression hits and their bank closes, their hopes are shattered.
In the years that follow, Shmuel’s questionable decisions, his poor health, and his bad luck plague their marriage and leave them constantly in financial distress. Gitel dreams of going back to school to become a teacher once their one daughter reaches high school, but an unexpected pregnancy quashes that aspiration as well. And when, later, a massive stroke leaves Shmuel disabled, Gitel is challenged to combine caring for him, being the breadwinner at a time when women face salary discrimination, and being present for their second daughter.
Offering an illuminating look at Jewish immigrant life in early-1900s America, Gitel’s Freedom is a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (March 25, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647428594
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Raves and Reviews
“Gitel’s Freedom by Iris Mitlin Lav is a vivid account of one girl’s deeply observant Jewish family as they make their way from Belorussia in the early twentieth century. Despite cultural barriers that mitigate against her, Gitel finds the strength that will propel the next generation. This book will engage readers eager to learn of one family’s challenges, heartaches, and joy as they strive to realize the American dream.”—Jean P. Moore, author of Crossing from Shore to Shore
“Gitel’s Freedom immerses the reader in the complex lives of Jewish immigrant families, providing a thought-provoking and detailed examination of what it means to start anew in America, the joys that might be nearby, and the costs that sometimes must be paid.”—Bruce J Berger, author of A Covo Family Saga
“Iris Mitlin Lav’s engaging historical novel is a moving testimony that portrays a vivid picture of three generations of an immigrant Jewish family struggling to find its place in America. Gitel’s Freedom is a deeply felt and well told family saga.” —Florence Reiss Kraut, author of How to Make a Life and Street Corner Dreams
“Gitel’s Freedom is an engaging tale! Especially striking is the depiction of the painful choices faced by the observant Jewish immigrant poor. The common view is that our ancestors gleefully abandoned religious strictures when they came to this country. This book serves as a welcome reminder that the truth may not be so simple.” —Ethan Seidel, Rabbi Emeritus, Tifereth Israel Congregation
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