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Arts & Entertainment

Book Signing and conversation

Memoir Reveals the Untold Story of Norway and the Holocaust

 "We are going to pick potatoes." That's what the family housekeeper told four-year-old Irene Levin when she was whisked off from her playgroup in the park to flee German-occupied Norway. In 1942, Irene Levin was one of 1,200 Norwegian Jews who escaped to Sweden during World War II. Nearly 800 remaining Jews were deported and murdered in Auschwitz. Irene's memories of life in Norway during and after the war are the subject of her book, "We Are Going to Pick Potatoes," Norway and the Holocaust, the Untold Story."  Published by Rowman and Littlefield, the book chronicles a largely unknown chapter in World War II history. It is also the story of one woman's rediscovery of her childhood role and her family's war experiences, and the resilience of the human spirit.  

 

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Rabbi Michael Melchior, Chief Rabbi of Norway and former Israeli Cabinet minister calls the book "an important personal and passionate story which gives new perspective to the greatest crime humanity has known - the Holocaust."  This book describes the integration of Jews into Norwegian society from 1854 through the war years. Irene offers a poignant account of what happened to her family during the war, including the loss of seven members of her father's family.  They were among the 771 Jews who were sent to Auschwitz.

 

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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has added the Norwegian version of the book to its library, making it available to scholars and the public. Beth El Synagogue Center invites all members of the community to hear Ms. Levin’s story from the author herself and ask her directly about her experiences before during and after the Holocaust.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity.  Ms. Levin will be speaking an annual luncheon at Beth El on Tuesday December 13 at Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle at 12:30.   Please contact the office to  reserve your space at 914-235-2700 extension 223.   "We Are Going to Pick Potatoes," Norway and the Holocaust, the Untold Story" is also available on www.amazon.com,  www.barnesandnoble.com, and  www.hamilton-books.com.

 

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