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LockedawayintheJewishghettoofanoccupiedUkrainiantownin1941,amotherrevisitsherlifeinalastlettertoherson.In1941,aRussianJewishwomandoctorlivesinasmallcityintheUkrainejustseizedbytheGermans.Shewritesalastlettertoherson,afamousRussianphysicistwholivesandworksfarfromthefrontlinesataSovietscienceresearchinstitute.ShewritestheletterafewdaysbeforesheknowssheandtheotherJewsinthecitywillbekilledbytheGermans.Shespeaksofherlife,herrelationshiptoherson,herloveforhim,herstudentlifeinParis,herfailedmarriage.SherecountsthereactionofherRussianandUkrainianneighborstothearrivaloftheGermans,thevariousresponsesoftheJewishcommunity,thecrueltyandhorrorsoftheoccupation,thehelpofsomeRussianneighbors,thegreedandindifferenceofothers,andherslowrecognitionthatherJewishheritageismoreimportanttoherthanherRussiannationalityorCommunistideology.