Letters From Rifka
By Karen HesseVocabulary
1) Europe
•Large continent made up of multiple countries
•Includes: Germany, Poland, France, Spain and others
•Noun
Immigrant
•Person who moves from one country to go live in another country.
• Noun
Freight Train
•Train designed to carry supplies, such as, cattle, cars, food, etc.
•Noun
Escape
• To get away from something, someone, or someplace.
• Verb (present tense)
Distract
• To turn someone’s attention away from one thing to something else.
• Verb—present tense
Rucksack• A type of back pack• Noun
Emerged
• To come out of • Verb– Past tense
Deserts• Suddenly leaves• Leaves military duty without
being released• Verb (present tense)
Greedy
• Selfish, self centered, wanting many things
• Adjective
Cellar
• Dug out, dirt basement; commonly used for storage of food; was used as a place of safety during wars
• Noun
Crouched
• Bent down, squatted• Verb—past tense
Papers
• Important documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or immigration papers.
• Noun
Spoke ill of
• To talk about someone in a bad way
• Verb phrase
Jew
• A person who follows the Jewish faith. • Noun
Clever
• Very smart or bright• Adjective
Sabbath
• In the Jewish faith, as well as, other religions the Sabbath is their day of rest. The Sabbath starts at sundown on Friday night and ends at sundown on Saturday night.
• Noun
Occupied
• To be busy• Verb—past tense
potbelly
A rounded stomachAdjective
Pivoted
• To turn quickly and sharply• Verb—past tense
Squinted
• Looked at closely• Verb—past tense
Chatter
• Talking• Verb-present tense
Betraying
•To break trust; to give to the enemy
•Verb—present tense
Thud
• Loud noise: something being dropped
• Verb—present tense
Inspect
• To look over closely• Verb—present tense
Influence
• Power; to affect someone• Verb—present tense
Shalom
• Good-bye or peach in Hebrew• Noun
Aboard
•To get on to something. Get on the train.
•Adverb
Barked
• Snapped orders at someone; • speak harshly• Verb—past tense
Vile
•Nasty; really bad•adjective
Stow
• To hide away somewhere• Verb—present tense
Cot
• A fold up bed• Noun
Linens
• Bedding, such as sheets and pillowcases
• Noun
En Route
Going, traveling to a placeVerb-present tense
Fled
• To leave quickly, escape• Verb—present tense
Scalp
• The skin on top of your head• Noun
Bleakness
• Ugliness; darkness• Adjective
Lurch
• To come to a sudden stop• Verb—present tense
Orphan
• Child whose parents have either died or left them
• Adjective
Wardrobe
• A stand alone closet for putting clothes in
• Noun
Star of David
• A Jewish symbol
Scrub• To wash clean• Verb—present tense