Spessard Holland Elementary Teacher Has a Personal Connection to Story From the Holocaust
As Spessard Holland Elementary was preparing for a book fair last week, teacher Hannah Kaufman saw a familiar face among the titles on display.
Kaufman is the granddaughter of Lola Rein Kaufman, author of “The Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust.”
“The Hidden Girl” is Lola Kaufman’s own story. She was born in Poland and lost her parents in the Holocaust at just eight years old, but survived in hiding.
“The only possession she had was the dress she was wearing, which her mother had embroidered,” Hannah Kaufman says. “The dress is now at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.”
Later in adulthood, Lola Kaufman traveled the country to speak about her experience, which led to a book offer. In 2008 Scholastic published “The Hidden Girl,” written by Lola with author Lois Metzger.
“I remember getting Scholastic catalogs and going to the book fairs when I was in elementary school. I was always so proud to see my grandmother’s book,” Hannah Kaufman said. “Now as an elementary teacher, it’s still an amazing moment to see her book here at our book fair. My grandmother was incredibly brave, and an inspiration, so I’m glad her story is still being shared.”
