12
Federation Star
COMMUNITY FOCUS
February 2021
Hidden children
True stories of hidden children are fascinating, including those of our local hidden children Ida Margolis GenShoah Chair
Y
ou have all heard of the “Hidden Children of the Holocaust.” The story of one hidden child, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” has sold over 30 million copies and been translated into 70 languages. Millions have seen the play (first produced in 1955) and the film. For many, this book was their first introduction to the Holocaust. But every hidden child has a story, along with every survivor. It has been documented that as many as 1.5 million children were murdered or died at the hands of the Nazis during WWII in one of the most appalling chapters of Holocaust history. Only 6 to 11% of Europe’s prewar Jewish population of children survived (USHMM). Among the European Jewish children who survived, thousands of children amazingly survived because they were hidden. These children, who were usually in constant fear and danger, were often given a new identity and faced constant difficulties. In some instances, the children were in hiding with Christian families or religious
i n s t i t u t i o n s , w h e re t h e y Her aunt had found a family hoped the child could pass as with whom she lived for over “Aryan.” Some children were three years. hidden in basements or attics There is much more to and were always in fear of these stories of courage and being discovered. Some were struggle, so please be sure to left abandoned, using their join us and encourage others, own resourcefulness in order including older children, to survive. to watch. When the war finally ended, Maud Dahme Reneé Fritz Reneé Beddouk “Our Stories” many children who were Dahme, Reneé Fritz and Reneé Beddouk. adopted or were in religious institutions The Annual “Our Stories” for 2gs and All that is necessary to view this prowere never told about their earlier lives, their guests will have to be on Zoom this gram is to go the Holocaust Museum never learning their true identities. Many year. Nevertheless, it will be good to see & Cohen Education Center website at families were never able to be reunited, the 2gs, who will join in to share their hmcec.org or call 239-263-9200. and some who were reunited often sufstories, and the positive aspect of Zoom Maud Dahme was hidden by Chrisfered scars from the trauma of war. is, of course, that 2gs can join us from tian families as a child in the Netherlands. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial wherever they are. She was 6 years old and her sister was Museum has an extensive bibliography The theme for the stories this year is 4 when they were taken to families of books about hidden children, includ“A Hero in Your Life,” which relates to and hidden. ing historical works, testimonies, film the theme for our programs this year, Reneé Fritz was just 3 when she, her and video, and museum web resources “Heroes, Heroines and Helpers.” mother and relatives were hidden in Bel(USHMM.org). The true stories of hidVisit the Holocaust Museum website gium, but Fritz was taken to a convent den children range from gut-wrenching at hmcec.org in order to get the Zoom where she began her “new life.” to fascinating to unbelievable. No fiction link. The program will take place at Reneé Beddouk lived in Paris, but is necessary. 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. in 1940, with the encouragement of an We are so fortunate to have extraordiFor more information, contact Ida at aunt, her family went to the free zone. nary individuals in our community who genshoahswfl@gmail.com. were hidden children of the Holocaust and are willing to share their stories with us. Three of these individuals will share SAVE THE DATE their amazing stories on a virtual program • Our Stories for 2gs and guests, Sunday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m., when • Hidden Children, Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. you will get to hear the stories of Maud
A heroine worth remembering
Even if you recognize the words of Hannah Senesh, you may not know her heroic story By Ida Margolis, GenShoah Chair My God, My God May these never end… The sand and the sea The rustle of the waters The brilliance of the sky The prayer of Man. Did you recognize “Eli Eli,” the above poem? You likely heard it as a song in English or the original Hebrew. It is nearly always included in Yom HaShoah programs. This is only one of the many beautiful poems written by young poet Hannah Senesh.
Senesh was born in Budapest on July 17, 1921, to a distinguished Hungarian Jewish family. Her father, who died when she was a child, had been a wellknown writer. When Senesh encountered anti-Semitism during her high school years, she decided to learn more about her Jewish origins and discovered the Zionist movement. She joined a Zionist youth movement and learned Hebrew. In 1939, after finishing her high school studies, Senesh went to Palestine to study agriculture. She joined a kibbutz and
Natural Hair Solutions & Cutting Edge Mastery SILVANA & EDMOND SELFOLLARI, Master Stylists from Chicago, bring to Naples their inspired artistry, unparalleled service and Commitment to Excellence! SPECIALIZING IN: • Corrective Cutting & Coloring • Makeovers • Naturally Curly Hair • Formal styles
New Clients ENJOY 25% OFF ANY SERVICE Call Now! 239-263-3525 DaymakerHairSalon.com
Daymaker Hair Salon 933 Creech Rd. Naples, FL 34103
continued the writing that she had begun in Hungary. In 1941, she joined the Haganah, and in 1943, she enlisted in the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Later that year, she was recruited to join a clandestine military project, whose ultimate purpose was to offer aid to beleaguered European Jewry. She became a member of the Palmah and was trained as a paratrooper. In mid-March 1944, she and several others were dropped into Yugoslavia in order to aid the anti-Nazi forces and enter Hungary. Within hours of entering Hungary, she was captured and sent to prison, where she was tortured for information she never gave. Senesh would not be broken, even after she discovered her mother was arrested and was told that her mother would be killed if Senesh did not cooperate. Only 22, refusing to beg for clemency and refusing a blindfold, she faced her murderers. Senesh was buried in the Jewish graveyard at Budapest. Her mother survived, immigrated to Palestine, told of her daughter’s courageous life and death, and brought her daughter’s diary, poetry and plays to the public. In 1950, Senesh’s remains were brought to Israel, where they were buried in the “Parachutists’ section” in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. In the same year, a kibbutz was founded and called Yad Hannah in her memory.
Senesh is a figure of great renown in Israel, though largely unknown in most of the world, even though many people have heard her words and been moved by her beautiful poetry. Fortunately, her poetry is easily available, books about her have been written, and recently, a very moving play about her was produced by the Folksbeine National Yiddish Theater. A wonderful film was made about Senesh, “Blessed is the Match,” which has been shown locally and on PBS. Hannah Senesh is like the stars and special people she wrote about, “There are stars whose radiance is visible on Earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world even though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for humankind.” She is indeed a light for humankind, a heroine worth remembering.
