Refugee Quizlet Chapters 1-7

Josef's Family

• Josef's sister, Ruthie, is 6 years old, has bright eyes, wild brown hair, and carries a stuffed rabbit named Bitsy.
• Josef is 12 years old with straight brown hair, brown eyes behind wire-framed glasses, and a short nose.
• Josef's father, Aaron Landau, was arrested for practicing law despite laws banning Jews from the profession.
• The family could no longer afford their home after Aaron lost his job due to his Jewish heritage.

Nazi Persecution

• Seven strangers, some in civilian clothes and others in brown shirts and red armbands, invaded Josef's home.
• The invaders vandalized the house, destroying furniture, pulling drawers, and breaking lamps.
• Josef's family experiences threats from Nazis, including the suggestion of deportation to a concentration camp for Josef's dreams of becoming a man.

Escape Plans

• Josef's family dreams of reaching the United States but plans to go to Cuba temporarily, as most countries had closed their borders to Jewish refugees.
• After his father's arrest, the family struggles, with Josef's mother visiting government offices in search of information.

Isabel Hernandez

• Isabel, 11 years old, is described as lanky with a brown face splotched with freckles and short black hair.
• She plays trumpet for tourists in Havana and yearns for a better life as conditions worsen in Cuba due to Communist policies.
• Isabel's family plans to escape to the U.S., fueled by desperation from food shortages and government oppression.

Mahmoud Bishara

• Mahmoud, 12, feels the need to stay invisible due to the dangers posed by the Syrian army and rebel conflicts.
• He has no friends, which helps him avoid trouble; he navigates through bombed streets and alleys on his way home.
• Aleppo, once a modern city, has faced devastation since the civil war began, leading to random acts of violence.

Syrian Uprising

• The Syrian populace, once fearful of protesting, is pushed to riot following incidents of violent repression from the government.
• After witnessing brutality against fellow citizens, the people take to the streets, leading to a fierce governmental crackdown.

Exile and Hardships

• Mahmoud has a tragic past involving his friend Khalid, who died in an airstrike, showcasing the personal toll of war.
• Isabel faces chaotic riots in Havana and must find her father who risks imprisonment again due to government brutality.

Themes of Survival

• The text emphasizes the theme of survival through invisibility, as seen in Mahmoud's attempt to avoid conflict.
• Family connections and the necessity to escape oppressive regimes drive the characters' motivations across different historical crises.
• The necessity for escape is underscored through Josef's family and Isabel's hope for a better future, while also highlighting the cruel realities they confront.### Daily Life of Mahmoud
• Mahmoud completed math homework before performing a ritual wash using plastic jugs due to water issues.
• His brother, Waleed, watched "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" dubbed in Syrian Arabic during this time.

Mahmoud's Mother

• Fatima Bishara, characterized by long dark hair and intense brown eyes, typically wore jeans and a pink nurse's shirt.
• She ceased working at the hospital after Hana’s birth, but not before witnessing traumatic events from the war, including severe injuries to civilians.

Mahmoud's Prayer Routine

• Mahmoud prayed facing Mecca, using prayer mats he rolled out for himself and Waleed.
• His mother prayed alone in her bedroom, while Mahmoud recited the first chapter of the Qur'an.
• The entire prayer ritual lasted approximately seven minutes.

Significance of Key Terms

• Allahu Akbar translates to "God is the greatest" in Arabic.
• The Qur'an is regarded as the most sacred text in Islam.

Missile Attack Experience

• Mahmoud heard an ominous sound, identified as an approaching missile, over the TV theme song.
• The noise intensified rapidly, likened to a tornado, prompting him to take cover under the kitchen table.
• The missile struck, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the walls of their apartment and resulted in a chaotic scene filled with debris and heat.

Josef and the Hitler Youth

• Josef encountered the Hitler Youth who brought him to a GESTAPO officer, who questioned his actions.
• After returning to his compartment, Josef remained there silently for the duration of the journey, adhering closely to protocol.

Arrival at Hamburg

• The train carrying Josef arrived at Hamburg Central Railway Station, where he and his mother headed to the docks.

The MS St. Louis

• The MS St. Louis was notably large, with distinctive smoke stacks and a Nazi flag, symbolizing their journey to America.
• The ship's name evoked hope for visiting the American city of St. Louis.

Reunion with Josef's Father

• Aaron Landau, Josef's father, appeared drastically changed since his detention, looking frail and unkempt.
• He expressed panic upon reuniting with his family, insisting they needed to leave immediately, revealing a distressed mental state.

Treatment on Board the Ship

• Josef was astonished at the kind treatment from German sailors who did not display anti-Semitic hostility.
• Such treatment provided a stark contrast to his father's apprehensive outlook, creating a divide in their perceptions.

Josef's Internal Conflict

• Amid celebrations of departure, Josef's thoughts lingered on the trauma his father faced, overshadowing the excitement of their new beginning.