Letters from Cuba

Esther's father has been living in Cuba and raising money to bring the rest of the family there from Poland.  The Nazi party is moving across Europe, and life is becoming dangerous for Jews in Poland and other countries.  When her father writes he has the money to bring one person, Esther begs to be the one.  Her father wants to bring a son, but Esther knows she can work just as hard as any boy.

Esther decides to record her journey in an old accounting ledger in the form of letters to her beloved sister.  When they are finally reunited, she will present the book to her sister.  

The journey is arduous, but Esther arrives in Cuba at last and discovers a whole new world.  Her wool dresses and stockings feel oppressive in the tropical heat, but Esther is eager to get to work.  At first, her father is surprised at Esther's success in peddling religious icons, but they are soon making more than double what he was alone.  

But it is Esther's gift with sewing that really makes the difference.  She begins to design and sew new dresses for the heat and humidity.  It is not long before her father is Esther's assistant instead of the other way around!  They save every cent they can to buy passage for the rest of the family.  The news from Europe is not good, and they are more desperate than ever to bring their loved ones to Cuba.

Esther and her father live in the countryside in Agramonte where Esther quickly begins to make friends despite language and cultural barriers.   While antisemitism does have a presence in Cuba, Esther's new friends make her feel welcome and valued.

Ruth Behar's new book is a story of hope and beauty in the midst of one of the greatest tragedies our world has ever known.  Though Esther is a refugee because of hatred and violence in her own land, she is often lifted by the kindness of strangers, many of whom become beloved friends.  This story is even more wonderful because it is based on experiences from Behar's own family history.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end.  Highly recommended.