I truly want to thank everyone I have encountered or heard about in the world of Anne Frank for their dedication and for being an inspiration to me. But sadly I can’t, or this chronicle will span a further 300 pages. So here are my thanks to a few of the key players in a story that relates the lives and activities of hundreds of fascinating people and spans a period of thirty years.
To all my wonderful colleagues, past and present, at the Anne Frank Trust, the Anne Frank House, the Anne Frank Fonds and throughout the Anne Frank family of educators and activists around the world. Too many to mention I fear, but they all know who they are.
To Hans Westra, Rabbi David Soetendorp, Eva Schloss, the late Bee Klug, Jan Erik Dubbelman, Dienke Hondius and the late Buddy Elias for the faith they placed in me all those years ago. I followed an unforgettable path with them, and they have guided my life with wisdom and love.
To Penguin Books, to Michelle Rosenberg and to Jon Wright, Laura Hirst, Stephen Chumbley and the team at my publishers Pen & Sword who have so ably and supportively helped to realise this dream.
It has been a true privilege to have worked with you all.
To my late husband Tony Bogush, who was behind me every step of the way from the start and left a huge mark on the Anne Frank Trust.
To my children Joe and Tilly, who lived throughout their teenage years with the Anne Frank Trust taking over their family home. Having survived the experience, they grew up to make me the proudest mother in the world from their remarkable achievements and a doting Nana to Ewan, Emily and Jonah.
Finally, to my amazing husband Elon Perry, who brought his talent and many years of experience as a celebrated Israeli journalist, writer, poet and editor, to help bring the manuscript into such shape that the publishers had no need for editing. Also, for his love, devotion, endless cups of tea, beautiful Sephardic meals, and his support along the way.