In 1922, Stalin was taking over Ukraine because it is the breadbasket of entire region, is rich in natural resources and is therefore one of the keys to ruling Russia. Do you see parallels to what happened then and what is happening now?

Putin wants to be Stalin, whose goal was to take over the world. Since taking office, Putin removed term limits, rigged all future elections and became head of the global mafia for the rest of his life. Are there any American politicians who seem to have a similar agenda?

Compare how Jews were treated during WWII with what is happening now in Israel.

What is a pogrom? How are they similar to the crusades or the inquisition?

How is the way Jews have been treated throughout the ages like the way European settlers treated Native Americans?

Should the Jewish dogma of only marrying within the faith be sustained?

Discuss financial self-sufficiency as the path to freedom. Compare the concept as practiced in the USA versus the USSR.

Discuss Tim’s research: He’s fluent in Spanish, and has studied French, German and Czech. Since 2010, studying with Moisey, he learned to read, write, speak and touch type in Russian. He also learned the history, geography and politics of all the former Soviet Socialist Republics and traveled to Kishinev (now Chisinau) Moldova, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm.

In this literary symphony, there is always the ebb and flow of music, weaving in and out of a life lost in the terrifying wilderness, searching for family and home. What do you think of the use of this extended metaphor?

How does the book address the issue of women’s rights? In 1860 Napoleon III expanded trade in Europe and granted many rights, including the right for women to be admitted into French Universities. This enabled Ita’s sisters to move to Paris and attend Sarbonne University. Ita planned on following them and become a painter. Then Stalin sealed the borders…