JoanP
We are not told what Sarah did for the foundation, whether she did it well, or what the job entailed. Would she have had time for it, even? As for "giving her the shove", nobody could blame the Sharanskys for being hurt, even resentful, that Sarah kept Hanna in total ignorance of her father, his work, and the existence of the family -- Delilah lived close enough in Australia in Hanna's early years to watch her from afar. It is quite incomprehensible that a mother, a MOTHER?, could do this, and routinely dismiss a daughter's chosen field.
We note with pleasure that Hanna assumed her father's name -- over Sarah's protests. Yet, if it had not been for Sarah's accident, none of this would be possible. Sarah's revelations in the hospital did have a profound effect on the mother-daughter relationship, as I said earlier. It's all in the plotting. (And I agree with you about Lola.) It all fits perfectly, neatly. Too neatly?
How strong really IS Hanna's own story compared with the glorious journey of the haggadah?