Overview

This book is in two parts. The first is an account of the efforts of dynamic Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld to bring a transport of 148 child Holocaust survivors from Slovakia at the onset of the Communist regime, to a safe haven where they could begin to recover from the traumas they had suffered, nurtured in a traditional Jewish environment. The second part comprises the individual stories contributed by 54 of these children and 6 others, of their own devastating experiences, many for the first time. One hundred of the party went to live in Clonyn Castle in the Republic of Ireland, purchased by a Jewish philanthropist from Manchester. Here they had the chance to recuperate in free and secure surroundings and the direction of their future lives was decided. Many retained a deep nostalgia for this significant time in their young lives as they describe in their reminiscences, as well as their deep gratitude and affection for Rabbi Schonfeld. The book is illustrated with original archival documents recording the progress of the scheme, newspaper cuttings and photos, amongst them some treasured mementoes. The recoveries and subsequent achievements of the Hide-and-Seek Children after suffering such appalling circumstances is an inspiring record.

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9781399928939

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""" ..........a mesmerizing, compelling and an extraordinary narrative of our people's survival and ultimate triumph. It evokes many painful memories of a lost childhood and the vagaries of life. It brought tears to my eyes. "" Murray Lynn (Alfred Leicht): contributor ""..............The main themes (of this book) are life-giving. A small number of remarkable people performed miracles. A compelling moving highly evocative and sensitive treasure box of information....only after adjusting to their safe shelter in Clonyn Castle were they able to play innocent games again. "" Michael Pinto Duschinsky Jewish Quarterly ""......Barnett's account is scholarly yet gripping, fleshed out with archive letters documents and photographs. Most of the children whose deeply affecting memoirs Barnett gathered, had suffered appallingly before setting out on this at first totally bewildering rural adventure.......and yet their story unfolds as a triumph of resilience and normality restored. "" Madeleine Kingsley: Jewish Chronicle"

..........a mesmerizing, compelling and an extraordinary narrative of our people's survival and ultimate triumph. It evokes many painful memories of a lost childhood and the vagaries of life. It brought tears to my eyes. Murray Lynn (Alfred Leicht): contributor ..............The main themes (of this book) are life-giving. A small number of remarkable people performed miracles. A compelling moving highly evocative and sensitive treasure box of information....only after adjusting to their safe shelter in Clonyn Castle were they able to play innocent games again. Michael Pinto Duschinsky Jewish Quarterly ......Barnett's account is scholarly yet gripping, fleshed out with archive letters documents and photographs. Most of the children whose deeply affecting memoirs Barnett gathered, had suffered appallingly before setting out on this at first totally bewildering rural adventure.......and yet their story unfolds as a triumph of resilience and normality restored. Madeleine Kingsley: Jewish Chronicle

Author Information

Barbara Barnett M.Phil trained as a social worker. She had worked with child Holocaust survivors when they first arrived in London and met some of this group at their 50 year reunion in 1998. Barbara suggested they wrote down their stories, and so this book was initiated.

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