3 minute read
Hidden children
You 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 institutions, where they hoped the child could pass as “Aryan.” Some children were hidden in basements or attics and were always in fear of being discovered. Some were left abandoned, using their own resourcefulness in order to survive.
When the war finally ended, many children who were adopted or were in religious institutions were never told about their earlier lives, never learning their true identities. Many families were never able to be reunited, and some who were reunited often suffered scars from the trauma of war.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has an extensive bibliography of books about hidden children, including historical works, testimonies, film and video, and museum web resources (USHMM.org). The true stories of hidden children range from gut-wrenching to fascinating to unbelievable. No fiction is necessary.
We are so fortunate to have extraordinary individuals in our community who were hidden children of the Holocaust and are willing to share their stories with us. Three of these individuals will share their amazing stories on a virtual program Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m., when you will get to hear the stories of Maud Reneé Fritz Dahme, Reneé Fritz and Reneé Beddouk.
All that is necessary to view this program is to go the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center website at hmcec.org or call 239-263-9200.
Maud Dahme was hidden by Christian families as a child in the Netherlands. She was 6 years old and her sister was 4 when they were taken to families and hidden.
Reneé Fritz was just 3 when she, her mother and relatives were hidden in Belgium, but Fritz was taken to a convent where she began her “new life.”
Reneé Beddouk lived in Paris, but in 1940, with the encouragement of an aunt, her family went to the free zone.
Her aunt had found a family with whom she lived for over three years.
There is much more to these stories of courage and struggle, so please be sure to join us and encourage others, including older children, to watch.
“Our Stories”
The Annual “Our Stories” for 2gs and their guests will have to be on Zoom this year. Nevertheless, it will be good to see the 2gs, who will join in to share their stories, and the positive aspect of Zoom is, of course, that 2gs can join us from wherever they are.
The theme for the stories this year is “A Hero in Your Life,” which relates to the theme for our programs this year, “Heroes, Heroines and Helpers.”
Visit the Holocaust Museum website at hmcec.org in order to get the Zoom link. The program will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14.
For more information, contact Ida at genshoahswfl@gmail.com.
Maud Dahme
Reneé Fritz
Reneé Beddouk
