Letters from Cuba

This summary includes the following letters: “Agramonte, July 19, 1938,” “Agramonte, August 7, 1938,” “Agramonte, August 18, 1938,” “Agramonte, August 29, 1938,” “Agramonte, September 7, 1938,” “Agramonte, September 26, 1938,” “Agramonte, October 5, 1938,” “Agramonte, October 25, 1938,” “Agramonte, November 19, 1938,” “Agramonte, November 11, 1938,” “Agramonte, November 14, 1938,” “Agramonte, December 19, 1938,” and “Agramonte, December 17, 1938.”

Esther and Papa celebrate Shavout by reading the Book of Ruth. Esther thinks her name should be Ruth since she, like Ruth, emigrated and adapted to a new place. Esther thinks of José Martí and wonders if she can be a poet. Esther finds solace in writing letters to Malka: They document her life and express her feelings. On the sad holiday Tisha B’Av, Esther and Papa fast and remember the destruction of the two original temples in Jerusalem and how the Jews dispersed around the world. Esther contemplates how life can change.

Esther is surprised when Papa reads a comment from Mama’s letter saying that she misses Esther and did not appreciate Esther’s hard work. The letter also contains a short message from Malka that inspires Esther and Papa. The rest of the news is not good: Mama and the family are often hungry.