Solley, by misfortune, Rachael grew up in a trashy trailer park, raised by her Catholic Aunt and alcoholic Uncle. After the death of her Jewish mom and dad, Rachael's Aunt supported her brother's wishes and allowed Rachael to attend the neighborhood Hebrew school. As a young child, Rachael enjoyed the Hanukkah celebration performed at the synagogue by the Rabbi. Rachael became friends with Sally during junior high, but whose parents were devoted Catholics, and refused Rachael to enter their home. Rachael, a strong-willed, determined young lady, survives years of childhood sexual abuse but becomes snared into her addiction to alcoholism and easy money.
After WWII, Jewish survivors move to a slum neighborhood in New York, adjacent to a poverty-stricken Mexican trailer park, predominately Catholic.