Synopsis

From an early age, Gitel questions the expected roles of women in society and in Judaism. Forbidden from going to college and pushed into finding a husband, she marries Shmuel, an Orthodox Jewish pharmacist whose left-wing politics she admires. They plan to work together in a neighborhood pharmacy in Chicago—but when the Great Depression hits, and their bank closes, their hopes are shattered. In the years that follow, bad luck plagues their marriage, and Gitel’s dreams are put on hold as she’s forced to be a caretaker, breadwinne,r and mother. An illuminating look at Jewish immigrant life in early-1900s America, “Gitel’s Freedom” is a compelling tale of women’s resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations.

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Interview

What was your inspiration for “Gitel’s Freedom”?

Gitel’s Freedom is fiction, but it is based on my family’s experiences. I always marveled at how strong the real Gitel–my mother–was, dealing with all forms of adversity that kept plaguing her life, while continuing to be the best mother she could be and also concerning herself with social issues through various organizations to which she belonged. I wanted to portray what her life was like. And also to portray how women’s freedoms changed through the generations.

What is the significance of the locations in the book?

The Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago was, and still is a very special place. At the time at which the novel is set, it was the only racially integrated neighborhood in the city, and 

Hyde Park High School was the only integrated school. Unlike most places at the time, interactions and friendships between races was the norm. That contrasts with the Lawndale neighborhood where Shmuel grew up and Gitel and Shmuel first lived, which was in effect a Jewish ghetto.

Did you do any research to accurately convey the difficulties of the time, especially for immigrants in the United States?a

I did a lot of research about the Great Depression; the statistics Gitel repeatedly cites to Shmuel in the novel about the declining economy are accurate, as are the events such as the bank closings. Shmuel clearly never understood how serious the economic situation was, nor did he understand the shaky Illinois banking system with its many small,  under-capitalized banks. He likely was typical of many immigrants in that respect. Gitel understood, but as a woman she couldn’t override her husband’s poor decisions.

Gitel is quite resourceful and resilient in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations. What are the consequences of the limited opportunities for women during this time period?

In this time period, women–and particularly married women–had little freedom to make choices. If they wanted to leave a bad marriage, they likely would have difficulty supporting themselves because of pay disparities between men and women and the limited type of work for which women could be hired. (Note that the wage disparities between men and women at all education levels persist today.) If a woman had children, the Chicago Public Schools made it impossible for women to work because children below high school age came home for lunch every day. Most women were dependent on a husband’s income if they were married and had children, or on an inequitable employment and pay system if they were single.

About the Author

IRIS MITLIN LAV grew up in the liberal Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. She went on to earn an MBA from George Washington University and an AB from the University of Chicago, and to enjoy a long career of public policy analysis and management, with an emphasis on improving policies for low- and moderate-income families. She also taught public finance at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University, and in 1999 received the Steven D. Gold award for contributions to state and local fiscal policy, an award jointly given by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Tax Association. Her first novel, “A Wife in Bangkok,” was published in 2020 by She Writes Press. “Gitel’s Freedom” is her second novel. Lav and her husband now live in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with Mango, their goldendoodle, and grandchildren nearby.

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