Tag Archives: Jew Face
Whenever possible, Holland’s Heroes attempts to take current events and link it to the story in Jew Face. Sometimes it is an obvious connection, sometimes it is a stretch requiring imagination, and occasionally it is a connection that in its insignificance is mildly entertaining and sometimes even funny or ironic. This particular post falls into that last category.
Over the next 5 days the champion for Euro 2012 International Football(soccer) tournament will be crowned. The semifinal matches are as follows. Today, Spain against Portugal. Tomorrow, Germany against Italy.
The book Jew Face is the story of my parents Nardus and Sipora Groen, primarily surrounding the events taking place between 1940-1945. My mother’s maiden name was Rodrigues-Lopes. A Dutch Jew from Spanish-Portuguese descent, my mother spent 5 years either hiding or running from the Nazi killing machine with the help of my father Nardus Groen. This book chronicles the events that took place as they lived through the time when Germany occupied Holland. One of Germany’s allies during World War II; Italy.
I think the irony is obvious. The not so obvious question, seeing as these countries are very different countries today is, who would I like to see win this thing. I will keep that answer to myself. At least for today.
Leave a comment | tags: Dutch, Dutch Jew, Euro 2012, Football, Germany, Holland, Holland's Heroes, Italy, Jew, Jew Face, Nardus and Sipora Groen, Nazi, Portugl, Portuguese, Rodrigues-Lopes, soccer, Spain, Spanish, Spanish-Portuguese, World War II | posted in Uncategorized
The following is a wonderfully written review of the book Jew Face written by my friend Tessa Henry. Thank you Tessa for your beautiful words.
Survival is probably the strongest and most primal of all human instincts. It is used and misused to justify so much. The most heinous and amoral behaviors are explained by “it’s a fight for our very survival”, as once again, it’s a primal instinct we can all relate to. So what does one do when confronted by the epitome of evil? When your very existence…MORE
Leave a comment | tags: Jew Face, primal, survival, Tessa Henry | posted in Uncategorized
In a random conversation a few weeks back, after mentioning my book, I jokingly suggested to a young woman that I should promote Jew Face as the perfect book to read upon completing Fifty Shades of Grey. She grinned slightly and lifted up the book she was reading, Fifty Shades Darker, the second in the Fifty Shades trilogy. I proceeded to ask her what would cause her to be drawn to my book. She responded with the words, “if it was a love story”.
Well for those of you wondering, Jew Face is the story of a woman unable to move safely in her home town of Amsterdam due to what in those days in that city was her very Jewish face, and a Jewish man who looked like a regular Dutchman, who took it upon himself to see to her safety regardless of the danger involved. His emerging love for the woman and her initial trust and faith that steadily turned into a deep and long lasting love is the foundation of the entire story.
So for those looking for a love story, there is a reason the subtitle is ”A story of love and heroism in Nazi-occupied Holland.” This story revolves around so many different aspects, with love very much in the forefront.
Leave a comment | tags: Amsterdam, Dutchman, faith, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades trilogy, Holland, Jew Face, Jewish, Jewish face, love story, Nazi, Nazi-occupied, trust | posted in Uncategorized
To all those in Israel, Holland, England, Australia, Germany, France, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sweden, Philipines, Spain, Poland, and of course the United States of America who are viewing my blog, THANK YOU!
Now tell all your friends and tell them to tell all of theirs. Let them know about the book Jew Face. I look around and see many people today who have lost hope because of everyday difficulties and struggles and hope that knowing this story will help in some way. Everyone needs inspiration and those who have read the book so far have at the very least seen how people can come from the worst situation, the brink of personal devastation, and built a life of joy, fulfillment, and love.
So tell your friends. Let them have the opportunity to decide if they want to reap the benefits of this story.
Leave a comment | tags: Australia, devastation, difficulties, England, France, fulfillment, Germany, Holland, hope, India, inspiration, Israel, Jew Face, joy, love, opportunity, Pakistan, Philipines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, struggles, Sweden, United States of America | posted in Uncategorized
When remembering our loved ones who have passed on, we tend to be somber and sad. Having lost my father 5 years ago it is something I understand very well. However, in Judaism, the Yahrzeit (pronounced Yart-site) the Jewish calendar anniversary of someone’s death, in some ways is a special time and one to be celebrated. Yahrzeit means “a year’s time” and represents the ascent of the Neshama (soul) to a higher level each year. It is believed that by our good deeds and prayers we help that Neshama reach that higher level and that we look positively and happily at that event as we remember the ones we lost. As with all Jewish calendar days, the Yahrzeit begins at sundown. This Saturday night and Sunday we celebrate the 5th Yahrzeit of my father Rabbi Nardus Groen. His story, together with that of my mother Sipora Groen, can be found in the book Jew Face. It is my hope that in the way I portrayed him in the book and let people know of his greatness, that I have done something to help his soul reach higher levels. My hope and prayer is that we give love and respect to all those most important to us in our lives and do not wait till they have passed on to do so.
Leave a comment | tags: Jew Face, Jewish, Jewish calendar, Neshama, Rabbi Nardus Groen, Sipora Groen, Soul, Yahrseit | posted in Uncategorized
The following is the Foreword of the book Jew Face. It is written by my father Rabbi Nardus Groen.
Foreword
by Rabbi Nardus Groen, of blessed memory
The life that was not lived:
This is the story of two people whose experiences cannot be seen as separated from one another. At the same time, it includes a multitude of people whose story will never be told. We therefore consider it a privilege as well as a duty to share with you some of the 4,380 days of our being on this earth.
Existence is more or less a state of exposure. Life, on the other hand, is a matter of faith. If there was such a thing, my choice would be for something in between. Some attributes may be applied to it, and others may not fit the shoe.
We may in the course of it meet people who, for whatever it’s worth, may be portrayed as heroes, while others are cowards, pacifists, or activists. They are all the products of mankind. For them, there will always be a place under the sun (with the exception of the traitor). But being as we are a homogenous society, no one can ever be left out. And as it is by the very inclination of the human race, the dark shadow of the wicked will play an overpowering role in leaving behind the marks in the way of scars brought upon them by society.
If the worst could ever be turned into good, the only lesson to be learned of that is, never ever forget. For in the past lay the present, and in the present the future. Without that, we will be repeating our mistakes and shortcomings, and as a result the world will not be the place it was created to be.
In order to live, you still have to be able to somehow believe in the goodness of mankind. In that light, we will start with our first words to describe that which has been and never should have been.
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With today being 5 years since the passing of my father, Nardus Groen, in a blog that speaks of the book Jew Face and Nazi Germany’s occupation of Holland between 1940-45, you might ask yourself why this post talks about a Football (Soccer) game. Here’s why. I remember calling my parents in Holland during times when I was living either in America or Israel. My parents always warmly welcomed my call and had time to speak with me. With one exception. When there was a football match on my father was busy and would instruct me to call back at a later time. It didn’t have to be an international match between the Netherlands and a rival nation. If Ajax of Amsterdam was playing, or one of Europe’s elite teams were on the television, there was very little that would pry him away from the television. It was a passion of my father’s as it still is today for my mother. So with that in mind, on June 13, 2012, exactly 5 years after my father’s passing, it is impossible to ignore the fact that today, Holland must defeat Germany in order to have a reasonable shot at surviving the first round of Euro 2012 Football Championships. It’s exactly what my father would have wanted on a day like today. That and of course a Dutch victory over Germany. And maybe that will be what actually happens with the help of one special fan who is remembered with love and respect watching and cheering on from a very special place. Go Holland!
1 Comment | tags: Ajax, America, Amsterdam, Dutch, Euro 2012, Europe's, Football, Germany, Holland, Israel, Jew Face, Nardus Groen, Nazi, Netherlands, soccer | posted in Uncategorized
Weeks ago when I saw I was approaching 100 posts, I started to mull over what would be the perfect way to celebrate the blogosphere milestone. Little did I know at the time that fate would lend a hand. On June 13, 2007, my father Rabbi Nardus Groen, passed on from this world. The English date coincides with the Hebrew date which falls next Saturday night and Sunday. Being that this blog is set up to introduce the book Jew Face, any milestone relevant to the book is appropriate blogging material. It is with that in mind I had determined a long time ago that this week I would be focusing my efforts on here towards honoring my father. This blog is called Holland’s Heroes because of the heroic behavior of the people in the book. Jew and non-Jew, relative or not, whose behavior during the worst of times in Holland, showed unimaginable bravery. The book speaks of many, but it is primarily the story of my parents, Nardus and Sipora Groen. With that premise I make this post, post number 100, an introduction to a week where I will be honoring and remembering my father. If anyone has a story they wish to share it will be very welcomed. I would love to post it in here or leave it as a comment. And if you choose to buy the book this week in his memory let me know and I will be glad to post it. Thanks to all of you.
Leave a comment | tags: English, hebrew, Holland's Heroes, Jew Face, Rabbi Nardus Groen, Sipora Groen | posted in Uncategorized
So I am sitting enjoying the company of my 90 year old mother, yes, the same woman on the cover of Jew Face, and she insists that we watch the World News. Despite the fact that I generally prefer to get my news online, since I am sitting with my mother anyway, and she wished to watch, I decided to sit and watch our world’s impending doom unfold in front of my eyes.
It starts with Spain requesting bailout money. Reinforced by the fact that similar crises have hit Ireland, Greece, and Portugal, I am listening to how Europe is collapsing. Great news, especially since both World Wars started in Europe and the Jews are still in finance. Needles to say I am being sarcastic.
The next story is how a massive investigation has been launched to discover the source of national security leaks coming from the White House. Republicans are accusing the White House of leaking the successes on purpose for political gain. So this means that either the opponents of the president have sunk to the lowest level, or the current administration has. Either way, the end result is the international community having another excuse why they should not trust America. Did I mention that any criticism of the United States tends to be wrapped together with criticism of Israel and the Jews? More good news. Thanks Mom.
The next story was a little lighter. All this was about was a potentially new E-Coli outbreak. No worries. I’ve lost my appetite anyway. Now I really encourage you to buy the book Jew Face. At least you can read a story about how things can work out well for people even after the worst things happen. Anyway, this article is done. Time to have dinner and hope it doesn’t kill me.
Stay tuned for a special post. Post number 100 is next!
Leave a comment | tags: administration, America, bailout, E-coli, Europe, finance, Greece, international community, Ireland, Israel, Jew Face, Jews, Mom, national security leaks, Portugal, president, Republicans, Spain, United States, White House, World News, World Wars | posted in Uncategorized
Whenever possible, Holland’s Heroes attempts to take current events and link it to the story in Jew Face. Sometimes it is an obvious connection, sometimes it is a stretch requiring imagination, and occasionally it is a connection that in its insignificance is mildly entertaining and sometimes even funny or ironic. This particular post falls into that last category.
Holland's Heroes 