As One Must, One Can

“The heartwarming—and heart wrenching—tale of life for pre-World War I Jewish society. . . . Well-researched and a gem of a novel.” —Caroline Giammanco, author of Into the Night

In Kansas City, 1907, Havah Gitterman continues her rebellious ways, teaching Hebrew and Humash classes for girls and doing everything she can for her family, even though the nerve pain in her legs continues to plague her, a constant reminder of the pogrom that nearly destroyed her childhood.

At home and abroad, anti-Semitism rears its ugly head once again. Havah’s husband Arel could go to prison for not observing the Christian Sabbath. Her blind daughter Rachel, a piano prodigy, is taken on a European tour by their family friend, where they are confronted by none other than a young Adolf Hitler.

But no matter how often Havah has been thrown about by life, she always lands on her feet. She rises above the close-mindedness that surrounds her to see Rachel play at the White House—and to usher a new life into the world just when all seems lost . . .

“As they did in Please Say Kaddish for Me and From Silt and Ashes, the characters shine in the third in Havah’s trilogy . . . a story of triumph over adversity.” —L.D. Whitaker, author of Soda Fountain Blues

“This story of love, joy, conflict and fear kept me turning the pages and taught me many things about Jewish culture.” —Jan Morrill, author of The Red Kimono