Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 3 of a new online serial novel, Nine A.M., by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

The Biggest Funeral in the World – By Carlos Satherhausen, reporting from the British Isles

In mournful silence, the Cosmos-Fuhrer was buried in Adolf Park in central Berlin. As will be recalled, the death of the Cosmos-Fuhrer was determined ten days prior, on Sunday, the 27^th of April, 1993, by his personal doctor, Professor Mark Wachte. The Cosmos-Fuhrer, aged 104 upon his death, was convalescing in Wales in the British Isles, as per the recommendations of his physicians, but after he felt unwell, he was transferred to London. There he soon fell unconscious, and after two days, he went into cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of many top doctors, he was declared dead within the hour.

Ten days of mourning were declared worldwide, during which time tens of thousands of people filed by his coffin in the royal palace in Britain. Only two people were allowed to say words of parting and appreciation. The first was Mark Von Warner, the General Field Marshal, who said that it will take mankind hundreds, if not thousands, of years to recover from the loss of the venerated leader. The second was Elizabeth, Queen of the British Isles, who noted that decades had passed since the denizens of the world were privileged to unite under the rule of the Reich, and that she hoped the current crisis would keep everyone united and stable.

Two days ago, at eight in the evening, the coffin departed from London, accompanied by the ninety-three units of the Global Wehrmacht, as the Cosmos-Fuhrer had demanded before his passing. They set sail from the Isles on the Bismarck, the unforgettable battleship from the days of the last World War. The coffin was then transported to the Cosmos-Fuhrer’s beloved Elysees Palace in Paris. There, the ceremonies continued for another day before the coffin set out on its final journey to Germany, the center of the kingdom, and the Cosmos-Fuhrer’s beloved land.

================================

“This Hitler, yemach shemo…” Sara Liba murmured as she folded the newspaper, looking around her at the walls of their shared kitchen. “Oy, oy, is there a word that can define what he deserves to get for all he has done…”

“In his final years he didn’t do harm anymore,” Tziporah whispered.

“But what about the millions of Yidden who perished because of him, Hashem yinkom damam?”

The two women fell silent. Sara Liba stared for a long while at the doorway, through which she could hear singing from the kindergarten next door. Then she bent over her bowl of potatoes that needed to be cooked for the children. “We need to daven that the one who comes after him will be okay for us,” she murmured.

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 2 of a new online serial novel, Nine A.M., by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

In a harsh and bitter world,

In a dreadful world,

I found for myself a citadel;

I found a place.

(Translated from Hungarian)

Everyone was familiar with Leo Sherer’s poignant song, even if it didn’t appear in any one of the monthly journals that he published. It was likely that the Samson Lager directors had also heard about it somehow, and they chose to ignore it. Leo was an asset for them, and while officially they didn’t allow the words “dreadful world” to be used under any circumstances, this song was complimentary for them.

There was good reason to compliment, to be sure. Babbe Sara Liba spoke often about the past, which included dreadful brutality, fear and death, and forced labor for eighteen hours a day. Here, all work ended by eight in the evening, and by nine o’clock, everyone was obligated to be in their homes. Woe to anyone who was found outside.

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 1 of a new online serial novel, Nine A.M., by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

A sign hung on the bulletin board at the entrance to the store:

At the conclusion of the period of mourning for the Cosmos-Fuhrer, all the residents of the camp will gather in his memory on Tuesday, the 4^th of May, at seven in the evening. As per the request of Rabbiner Schwartzbrod, two separate gatherings will be held, one in the sewing room for the women and one in the factory hall for the men.

Work will stop at 6:30 p.m. on this day. Vouchers for sugar and white flour will be given to those who deliver appropriate speeches.

===============================

“It’s a good thing they don’t expect me to sit shivah for him!” Only Naomi’s lips moved as she uttered the words, while staring at the retreating back of Hauptmann (Captain) Katarina, who had hung up the sign.

“Shhh….” Elky replied as she scrubbed the counter. A bell rang, and the two girls picked up speed. In five minutes, their daily work hours at the store would come to an end.

“Just don’t tell my grandmother a word about the vouchers for sugar and flour.” Naomi bent over the narrow fridge and arranged the milk bottles. “It will take her back in time, to those dark days in Poland fifty years ago—you know, when the authorities promised a kilogram of sugar or flour as a prize for helping them out….” She fell silent.

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 86 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“And they’ve been at Shimon Weisskopf’s in Boro Park for a week already, recovering.” Hinda concluded the story as she conducted a little tour of the small apartment in Bnei Brak.

“That’s amazing…a real suspense story! Does your uncle feel better now?”

“Yes. And he’s had tests done at a hospital in New York to make sure there’s no neurological damage. He apparently did sustain a real blow to the head, and then, for a long time, they stuffed him with substances that dulled his senses and disoriented him… But he was released after three days in the hospital, and while he’ll need some follow-up, he’s definitely stable.”

“How long is he staying in America?”

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 85 of a new online serial novel, Outside the Bubble, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

When Shimon Weisskopf arrived on the scene, things progressed much more smoothly than expected. He walked into the emergency room building with a tall, broad fellow, whose confident stride elicited respect, despite the fact that at his side was a little girl, with her hand tucked into his.

The six-year-old girl skipped ahead and tried to pull the man—who seemed to be her father—forward at her pace. “Where is he?” she called as she looked in every direction. “Where is Mike?”

Michoel Perl gave Shimon a warm slap on the back. “Ah, you’re here!” he said, and looked behind him at the hospital room. “It took you quite a long time, huh? We made up to meet half a year ago or so!”

“Not exactly,” Shimon corrected him. “You said then that you’ll consider whether or not to keep me employed.”

“Oh, that’s right. So, I decided that I want to keep employing you!”