Faygala, age 17, lived in Russia in 1904 in troubled times when the Cossack soldiers periodically ransacked her Jewish village; and the Czar's officers periodically raided to seize men for the army. To avoid all this, many fled to America. Faygala's family was planning to join her father in the "golden country" as soon as he sent enough money for ship and train passages and for Ellis Island fees and proof of support requirements. But suddenly due to personal danger, Faygala was forced to make the daunting journey alone with people she barely knew. Departing was extremely painful for her,...