Several years ago, I sat in John Freund’s apartment and listened to him talk about a newspaper that he and other young people had written during the Holocaust. He showed me copies of the paper and he asked me if I would do something with his story. And so our journey began. It has been a privilege to work with John on this book. He is a caring and gentle man, who has patiently endured my endless questions and generously shared his life with me. Thanks also to his wonderful wife, Nora, for her strength and enthusiasm.
My deepest thanks to Frances Neubauer, not only for the open and honest way in which she talked about her life and the lives of her family members, but also for her warm hospitality. I will cherish the memory of my time spent with her in California.
I am indebted to Jirka and Hana Kende for sharing their memories of their parents, Irena and Viktor, and their uncle, Ruda. They filled in the missing pieces of this story and helped ensure its accuracy.
I am grateful, as always, to Margie Wolfe of Second Story Press, for her enthusiasm and passion, and for her continued support of my writing. Thanks also to Laura McCurdy, Corina Eberle, and Peter Ross for their creativity and hard work in bringing this book together.
The author, Kathy Kacer, and Frances Neubauer, standing in front of Frances’ home in California.
It is always a privilege to work with Sarah Swartz through the editorial process. Sarah is a wonderful adviser and a dedicated and diligent editor. Thanks also to Gena Gorrell for her final, thorough review of the manuscript.
I am grateful to the Jewish Museum in Prague, Czech Republic for providing photographs of Klepy, and to Patricia Tosnerova for her historical input. Every time I feel overwhelmed with the writing, I am able to turn to my family for love and support. They remind me that this is all part of the process, and they calm and reassure me in ways that only family can. My love and appreciation go to my husband, Ian Epstein, and my children, Gabi and Jake.