About 30 students filed in to Madison Junior High School August 10, even before they knew there was a surprise in store.

Under the guise that they would be filming a re-enactment of their successful effort to re-unite two women separated for decades by the Holocaust, the now-high school students packed the Learning Resource [...]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110816/news/708169661/#

Fern,

Thank you so much for joining our book club today.  We loved the book and I am looking forward to reading Motherland.  I am also hopeful that your Mom can have a wonderful reunion with Gertie.  I’m sure it will be wonderful for the two to reconnect.  I imagine that would make an interesting [...]

http://www.nctv17.com/napervillenews17/article.php?id=803

“I’m so glad we could find Gerda! Ever since we started our search, I’ve been moved to tears and even some of happiness.”  Danielle

I hope reuniting with Gerda can make up for at least a little bit of all the grief you had to face. Wishing you all the happiness in the world, you [...]

Book Inspires Eighth Grade Students To Find—and Reunite—Holocaust Refugees Separated in 1938

“I am really hoping that you are the Gerda Katz we are looking for.”  So began the email that Madison Junior High School teacher Catie O’Boyle wrote after her students were inspired by a book, Is It [...]

“Being able to change someone’s life like this is amazing.” Priya T.

“I think I had a tear in my eye when we found her.” Anthony H.

“Not many eighth- graders can say they reunited two Holocaust survivors. This was an incredible experience.” Kyle J.

“I think what compelled me to do this is [...]

This is not a story about numbers show

First email from Gerda’s daughter, Ann, to Edith:

“You are so important to our family. We fervently hope to unite soon in Seattle and share a part of my mom’s past that only you truly can understand. Our tears have been overwhelming and we are grateful for this future reunion.

Love to you and your [...]

The day my mother, Edith, called with the thrilling news that Gerda had emailed her, I was about to speak at Manchester Township High School in Manchester, New Jersey. At the presentations,  I shared the exciting news with MTHS students.

“Edith heard from Gerda yesterday for the first time in 73 years,” I said, “and [...]