A little Jewish Dutch girl, Liesbeth Prins, known as Liesje, was hidden during World War II by two brave families in the Netherlands.
Tragically, the Nazis discovered Liesje’s second hiding place, and she was imprisoned together with the family who hidden her with had a daughter named Lyda similar in age to Liesje.
Soon after, little Liesje aged 5, was interned with her parents in the Hollandsche Schouwburg, the collection centre in Amsterdam for arrested Jews before being sent to Westerbork in northern Holland and then transported to and murdered in Auschwitz. Lyda’s family were released.
Liesje’s extended family members emigrated to Sydney, and in the mid-1960s, Liesje’s cousin, Carla Moore-Kogel, discovered diaries written by Liesje’s mother lying in a drawer in her parents’ home.
Realizing their importance, Carla donated them to the Sydney Jewish Museum in 2002, where they are now on display in the Children’s Memorial.
A series of coincidences will reveal the incredible history of Liesje’s legacy at an event later this month in the museum.
SJM head curator, Roslyn Sugarman will background the Dutch Holocaust and Liesje’s diaries; Carla Moore-Kogel will talk about her cousin Liesje, the family connection and her discovery of the diaries; Anne Slade will relate her emotional mission last year to Amsterdam to collect Liesje’s birth medallion – an amazing link in this chain of events; and the final speaker is Jan de Roos, who is coming from the Netherlands specially for this occasion.
He is the author of the Dutch book “Lyda & Liesje” will relate his research into Liesje, her hiding places, her hiders, the resistance and her ultimate betrayal.
The English translation of “Lyda & Liesje” will be launched at the conclusion.
Venue: Sydney Jewish Museum Education Centre
Sunday, November 17, 2.00pm to 3.30pm
The book will be available for sale.
Book online at sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/events