By
– January 26, 2012
Rachel Shukert’s first book gives readers an unusual look at growing up Jewish in a small town in Nebraska. Here is Shukert at eight years old, wandering around museums on family vacations instead of visiting Disneyland; and as a teenager convincing her Polish doctor that she merely has a stomach ache and isn’t pregnant. Shukert also recalls memorable visits to her grandparents during Hannukah, when her grandmother would cook enough for an army and spoil her and her sister with too masny presents.
From a young age, though, Rachel showed signs that she was destined for something bigger than life in Omaha. In elementary school she took it upon herself to teach English to refugee children from Eastern Europe. Her non stop imagination and creative mind helped her reach New York City, where, many obstacles later, Shukert succeeded in publishing stories and writing plays that have been performed from Massachusetts to the Netherlands.
Rachel Orbach is a sophomore at Emory University. She has written for Fresh Ink, a supplement to the Jewish Week, and would like to pursue a degree in journalism.
