How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #1
More people came to the house than had attended the services because most of their neighbors—men and women who had known Gemma for over forty years—were Polish and Catholic and made uncomfortable by the idea of going into a synagogue, as if the church still forbade it. (4.6)
This is an interesting detail about Becca's town, which is a Polish farming community. Why do you think Gemma's neighbors found the synagogue intimidating?
Quote #2
The downstairs mirrors were all draped with cloth, not because the Berlins were religious enough to follow conservative funeral customs, but because the rabbi—who was paying his respects—would care. (4.8)
On the downlow—it's not a major theme—the book explores the difference between people who are culturally Jewish and people who are religiously Jewish. The Berlins fall into the former category, FYI. The rabbi—well, that should be a duh.
Quote #3
Then she waited while the magic of modern invention turned tap water into a hot dark-brown caffeine-powered drink. It was better than any Biblical miracle and risked no beliefs. (8.3)
We too worship at the Church of Coffee. As a matter of fact we're "praising" a cappuccino this very moment.
Quote #4
The building was always bustling with gossip and a revolutionary ardor indistinguishable from religious fervor in its intensity. (8.32)
This sentence is about the building where Becca works. Hmm, our Spidey Sense is detecting a thought about how work (especially if it's the revolutionary kind) is the new religion somewhere in there. Or maybe it was just all that cappuccino.
Quote #5
They both knew he was pure Yankee, an Episcopalian who hadn't seen the inside of a church since high school. It was his one boast. (8.49)
Stan, our man, you need a better boast. Are you good at golf, perhaps?
Quote #6
"I do not practice or celebrate the holidays. I do not speak or read Hebrew. But I read history at University, and especially I read Holocaust history." (20.74)
Remember what we said about the Berlins being culturally Jewish? Magda has a similar thing going on. And that culture, sad to say, involves learning about a very tragic past.
Quote #7
"He said the nothing happened here and that we should take our Jew questions away or that the nothing would happen again." (22.48)
In Chelmno, people being persecuted for their faith (or their presumed faith) isn't yet a thing of the past. There's a bit of discomfort with the town's dark history and a bit of discomfort with Judaism happening here. Get with the times, folks.
Quote #8
Irritated, Becca asked, more pointedly than she meant to, "Do I look Jewish?" Father Stashu smiled. "Not at all." (22.60-22.61)
What's up with Becca asking the priest if she looks Jewish? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Quote #9
"I cannot forgive them, you know. I can love them but I cannot forgive them. But then—I do not have to. I am not God." (22.100)
The priest in Chelmno notes that his faith does not require that he forgive his flock. That's a good thing, because he is holding that grudge so hard.
Quote #10
Three days later, the marriage was held under a canopy of sticks and leaves threaded through with vines. The woodcutters and Rebbe and Josef stood at the corners of the chuppa to give the bride away. (30.30)
Even during a war, in the middle of the dang woods, Gemma's wedding has touches of Jewish tradition. Ain't that cute?