Holocaust Survivor Shares Her INCREDIBLE Story

When she was just six months old, Louise Lawrence-Israels' parents hid her and her brother in an abandoned attic in Amsterdam. It was the winter of 1943, and the situation for Jews in the Netherlands was deteriorating. Public executions and mass deportations to Concentration Camps in Poland made Louise's parents fear for her and her brother's safety. They remained in that attic for nearly three years. Sometimes the only food she had was warm water. She and her brother never stepped foot outside during that time.

She shared her story with RocaNews' official podcast We The 66. Before we share timestamps, we'd like to give a special thanks to Louise and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC which allowed us to film this interview in its hallowed halls.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Trailer
1:13 - Intro
2:50 - LOUISE INTERVIEW
3:13 - Hiding in the attic
7:50 - The Dutch Resistance
10:30 - What was life like in the attic?
14:35 - The HARDEST part for her
18:40 - How her parents coped
21:35 - "They were murdered"
23:25 - Did the parents talk about it?
25:36 - Dutch history OMITTED it
31:15 - Holocaust denial
34:35 - Louise's kids
36:10 - Psychological impact
39:00 - Is she happy?
40:13 - Her inspiration
44:04 - Closing

[SDCourage]

I grew up in metro Detroit and have had the privilege of being so close to a Holocaust museum. I have heard many survivors life stories and their experience during the Holocaust and how it compares to life today. Please keep telling the world these events. Never Forget….Never

[lindahaftner]

This is terrifying. My mother survived the Holocaust and to hear young people denying its existence makes me both angry and scared about the future of the new generations lack of history education, moral values and empathy.

[Minris]

My grandfather was part of the Dutch resistance. He helped saved Dutch Jews in Amsterdam. Unfortunately to do this he abandoned my dad, his 3 brothers and my grandmother. They almost starved to death as my grandmother struggled to raise 4 boys under 6 years old (when he first left) in occupied Netherlands where over 20, 000 Dutch died of starvation in 1944.
Apparently, after the war he married someone else. And my grandmother moved the them to Australia when my dad was 16 (second youngest). He hadn’t seen his dad since he was 3.

There were no good choices. We can’t let this happen again.

[justmejustme]

these must continue to air no matter what. Thank you

[hollyjobitner]

I’ve written this before, but I met Maria Linke 1908-1978, author of East Wind. She was my patient while in the hospital. I was doing an EKG on her putting rubber straps on her arm, when I noticed the number tattooed on her arm. I immediately started to cry. She was comforting me. She signed and gave me her book. She wouldn’t take any payment for the book. I have been a student of the Holocaust since my teens. She is buried in a cemetery in Emlenton PA. I need to reread her book. 🖖💙

[marciamatteini]

After watching this my first thought was what a beautiful woman. To be able to talk about how things were made me feel like I could imagine clearly what she went through, her feelings, her thoughts, just everything! I’m happy knowing she had a good life after the fact. And she still has a brother alive. God bless her✝️

[retajones]

Like this Jewish lady, I am also convinced that “something will happen again”
And it IS frightening to know that there is nowhere to hide.😓

[mysticalheart]

Thank you. This dear lady is very articulate and speaks from her heart and mind with clarity and grace. God bless you Mam.✡️ I'm a Christian standing in solidarity with you and all survivors of the Holocaust.

[janyd]

Wonderful story. My father fought in WW2 in Holland and Belgium with the Canadian Essex Scottish. Praise God for the liberation.

[suzannakoizumi]

I know a man born in the mid 1930 in The Netherlands. His mother gave him cups of sugar to put into pour into nazi vehicles. He was young enough to not arouse suspicion and smart enough to do the deed. His mother was risking all their lives. The family was relatively high ranking in the Christian Dutch society.

[Katherine]

Today is May 5th - Liberation Day 🇳🇱 🇨🇦 🇳🇱🇨🇦
My Grandpa was part of Holland’s liberation. He was there when you came out of hiding. He made Holland a very big part of ours lives. He and Grandma went back for the celebrations. Oddly, it’s very comforting to see someone such as yourself alive and with such connection to a time and place that was so important to my Grandpa. He died in 2011.

[chowchowtales]

What a unique place in the world Louise was and is. Having lived through WW2 and the holocaust, yet on the outskirts of most of the terror her parents knew about and experienced in their own right and others who experienced it more directly and horrifically. She is in an ideal position to share what she has learned and enlighten others. What a treasure she is.

[Grace.allovertheplace]

Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤

[Marktilley]

Beautifully done interview Max. Powerful story. We cannot forget what happened.

[Eileen-bhzt]

The level of evil is incomprehensible thank you for sharing your story God bless you and continue to protect you 💔

[racheltomkins]

Thank you Max for caring, it’s inspiring to see people like you post this content.

[bethlove]

This lady is so wonderful to listen to. Her memories r so clear and easy to understand.

[canadasweetie]

What a great interview; insight into what she personally experienced and how her parents integrated them back into society. So thankful even if they didn’t have much and food was rationed that she still today remembers the love of her parents for the children that is huge. Love and security from your parents starting at young age is essential in starting to form a child’s trust and self confidence/self esteem. Not every child gets that type of love from their parents.

[lynj-c]

We all have to continue to be strong and vigilant, fight for equality everywhere. Drown out the evil and hate. Let good rule the day always.

[LisaPolk-jt]

Awesome interview and outlook!! Bless you!