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Anka's Secret
1939, Vilnius. Anka, a young Jewish girl, is forced to leave Vilnius after Jewish shops are broken into and looted. Sensing the impending danger, her father sends her to Pre-State Israel to submit the immigration request to the British authorities on behalf of the family. She leaves behind her beloved fiancé, Zalman, who promises to wait for her return. In Israel, Anka reunites with Abrasha, her admired counselor from the Socialist Zionist youth movement in Vilnius who had left earlier to join the Kibbutz and become a Zionist. When WWII erupts, the Holocaust ravages Europe and Anka loses contact with her beloved. After losing hope of ever seeing Zalman or her family again, she warms up to her kind friend Abrasha, marries him, and starts a new life. 60 years later, their daughter must vacate their home for sale. She discovers hidden letters in her mother's closet that reveal a shocking truth about Anka.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
328 pages, Hardcover
Published December 21, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2026
Wonderful book
I couldn't put this one down. I started it this evening and had to finish it before I could go to bed! I will be tired tomorrow but it was worth it. Anka has a very unique life, one that is quite unimaginable to me. It is heartbreaking but yet it has wonderful parts. I wish we could have spent more time with her in later years but my imagination will have to suffice.
I couldn't put this one down. I started it this evening and had to finish it before I could go to bed! I will be tired tomorrow but it was worth it. Anka has a very unique life, one that is quite unimaginable to me. It is heartbreaking but yet it has wonderful parts. I wish we could have spent more time with her in later years but my imagination will have to suffice.
January 20, 2023
Almost my history
This is the story of Jewish refugees and some who wanted to be but couldn't.
My father also survived and this could be his story.
Anka is an incredibly strong young woman who undergoes horrible times but survives and builds a beautiful life.
Well written, well researched and a beautiful story of survival.
This is the story of Jewish refugees and some who wanted to be but couldn't.
My father also survived and this could be his story.
Anka is an incredibly strong young woman who undergoes horrible times but survives and builds a beautiful life.
Well written, well researched and a beautiful story of survival.
February 22, 2023
Amazon
Interesting read about her mother and father beginning. However I wished to know what happen to Anka's immediate family. Did they perish in Soviet regime. What happen. Also her one and only brother what happen. So sad he had a whole year to save them. Also her uncle didn't know the plight of his own brother. Sad some were close but others were strangers.
Interesting read about her mother and father beginning. However I wished to know what happen to Anka's immediate family. Did they perish in Soviet regime. What happen. Also her one and only brother what happen. So sad he had a whole year to save them. Also her uncle didn't know the plight of his own brother. Sad some were close but others were strangers.
April 12, 2026
wonderful Storytelling
I’m glad I stuck to reading this book after my initial attempt to stop. It truly gave another perspective of the war and what happened in the new land. It is told from the perspective of two main characters and how their stories intersect? I highly recommend reading it.
I’m glad I stuck to reading this book after my initial attempt to stop. It truly gave another perspective of the war and what happened in the new land. It is told from the perspective of two main characters and how their stories intersect? I highly recommend reading it.
December 1, 2023
Very good book!
With the war going on now in Israel, it is important to know what the people who settled there went through. It is sad what they are going through at this time. It is hard to understand why the Jews have been hated for such a long time. It is very sad.
With the war going on now in Israel, it is important to know what the people who settled there went through. It is sad what they are going through at this time. It is hard to understand why the Jews have been hated for such a long time. It is very sad.
June 2, 2026
Anks's Secret
Really a very interesting book. Life for the Jewish people weren't easy, and going to Isreal before they made it a state was even harder. You go the whole book before you realize the secret..
Really a very interesting book. Life for the Jewish people weren't easy, and going to Isreal before they made it a state was even harder. You go the whole book before you realize the secret..
January 18, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! Great character development!
May 25, 2023
This is a story about the realities that many families faced during WWII. A story about how lives that are meant to connect will do so no matter the time and place. Love always finds its way. A beautiful love story and most of all an amazing demonstration of perseverance, courage and loyalty for family values, traditions and unity. A surprising ending yet one that reminds you of how unselfish and kind true love can be.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews