Letters to Rifka

Why did Rifka and her family flee from Russia?

• They were very poor and needed new jobs.

• They wanted to be adventurous and sail to America.

• Russian soldiers were coming to take her brothers.

• Rifka had ringworm.

When Rifka wrote to Tovah, she often wrote about wanting to be ______________.

• taller

• clever

• older

• prettier

Why was the treasured gift of the book of Pushkin's poetry important?

• It was a book that had many blank pages where she could write her own poems.

• It made her seem like she was a Russian peasant.

• She used it to convince the HIAS lady to let her go to America.

• It comforted Rifka and inspired her to write letters to her cousin about her journey.

When Rifka was finally able to sail to America, what tragic event occurred?

• Rifka lost her Pushkin book in the storm.

• Pieter was swept overboard and died during the storm.

• She was told Mama had died of typhus.

• She had to go below deck because she was Jewish.

Which phrase best describes Rifka’s relationship with Tovah?

• competitive and jealous

• friendly but distant

• warm and loving

• cold and uncaring

Who gave Rifka the Pushkin book that she writes her letters in?

• Cousin Tovah

• Bubbe Ruth

What is one possible theme for Letters From Rifka?

• It is better to be pretty than brave and clever.

• You can overcome difficulties if you are clever, brave, and hopeful.

• Being kind doesn't help you overcome difficulties, just thinking about your own needs does.

• Taking risks is dangerous. It is better to play it safe.

What home country is Rifka's family escaping from?

• Poland

• Russia/Ukraine

Why did Rifka have to distract the guards at the train station?

• Only she could pass for Russian so her family could escape.

• To prove to Saul that someone thought she was pretty

Why does Rifka get left behind in Warsaw?

• She has contracted ringworm from the girl she helped on the train.

• The innkeeper's daughter called her a thief.