Gluckel

Gluckel is author and main character of her autobiographical work named "The Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln." Gluckel is born in 1646 in Hamburg, Germany, two years before German Jews are expelled from the city. Her family migrates to Altona where they live under Danish rule until 1658 when the Swedes take over that village. Gluckel's parents follow Jewish customs of the time by betrothing her at twelve to marry Chayim Hameln at fourteen. Gluckel's father is Lob Pinkerle. Her mother Bela has three other children, Hendele, Rebecca and Wolf when she is left a widow. Ironically, Gluckel comes from a small family compared to her husband. Bela has two sisters, Gluck and Ulk. Gluckel's husband has eight siblings. Gluckel and Chayim have twelve children. Gluckel actively promotes desirable matches for her children to ensure the quality of her descendants.

At the age of forty-four in 1689, Gluckel is widowed with...