Hiding in the Open: A Holocaust Memoir

by Sabina S. Zimering

This is the memoir of one of two sisters who survived the Holocaust by posing as Catholic Poles in Germany during World War II. They missed the liquidation of their ghetto by mere hours, hiding in a shed all night listening to the screams of their fellow Jews. Then went into Germany and took up work in a hotel housing Gestapo officers. Many close escapes and daring moments make this book chilling.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Holocaust, History, Memoir

225 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the author's 7th grade grandchildren were 2 of my students. Given the personal connection, I was enthralled and couldn't put it down!! It was a great read that described the lives of one Polish/Jewish family during the Holocaust and the many precarious situations 2 sisters found themselves in. Thus, I would have rated it highly even without knowing Sabina's young relatives.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this on my book list for a long time and finally got to it. I'm not sure if Sabina's story is unusual but it certainly seems so. There could not have been very many Jews who did what she and her sister did: live, work and most importantly hide in the open in Germany during WWII. I learned a lot about the Polish and other peoples from conquered countries who went to work in Germany and much of what that entailed. It's an inspiring and amazing story of survival. Sabina went on to earn a medical degree and practice in Minneapolis MN.

English is her third language. That in itself is pretty amazing. She grew up speaking Polish but also studied German in high school which helped her survive. She knew almost no English when she arrived in the U.S. in 1951 but knew in order to practice medicine, she had to accomplish that. She's a feisty, determined and very intelligent woman who also used her fears to move forward.

[Kathryn Egly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman's life story is phenomenal! She was a Jewish girl living in Poland during WW2. Just before Hitler liquidated her Ghetto, she snuck out with her sister. Using fake papers, they "hid" by working in Germany through the war.

The author went on to become a doctor, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She married a Jewish man, worked in the medical field, and raised a family. She recently passed away and her family wrote a bit of her story in the local paper. I was fascinated by what I read and found her book at the library. The book is way better than this short synopsis so I highly recommend you read it!

[Pam Herrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read the Holocaust stories of survival. The story of Jewish Sabina, who is saved by her Catholic friends when they give her and her sister Helka papers to get them out of the ghetto. They ended up working in Regensburg at a hotel that served many Germans and so they had to be very careful. I can't imagine the anxiety that they lived with daily, hoping not to be caught and executed. Sabina ended up getting her doctors degree and living in Minneapolis.

[Micebyliz]

I've read so many memoirs, but the thing is that each one is different in some way. They are someone's individual experience, their remembrances of family and friends they lost in a time of tragedy, perhaps their harrowing escape. So, they are worth reading in acknowledgment of each life.
I did spot several typos/spelling errors but perhaps they were corrected in newer editions.

[Laura Valenziano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two sisters, Polish Jews, who survived the Holocaust by assuming Aryan identities and working in Germany. A well written and interesting memoir!

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very personal, moving tale of survival during world war 2.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If they survived the Holocaust, maybe we can survive what’s happening in America now.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good story about 2 young Jewish girls trying to survive the holocaust by hiding in Germany. The author now lives in Minnesota and was supposed to speak on a Holocaust panel that I attended. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to make it but we were told about her book. Well written and thought provoking, what really came through for me was the sense of loss the girls felt when they lost both parents. They lost other family members also, but losing their parents seemed to be the most traumatic for them and effected them long after the war was over. Maybe especially because her father almost made it, he was captured just 2 days before he would have been liberated--heartbreaking.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of survival. I have read quite a few books, fiction and non fiction books, on the Holocaust. I know this one will stay with me for a long time. I can't imagine loosing so many of your loved ones, but also being able to reconnect with some of them. It is a story of loss, love, survival and courage. One thing that really connects me to this book is that the author lives in Minneapolis, MN. Her life has not been an easy one, but she persevered, followed her dreams and was able to live life on her terms after all the horror. I wish I could have found a copy in paper back, because I will be recommending this book to family and friends and would have no problem passing this book along.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. It's a memoir of a woman who survived the Holocaust by pretending to be a Catholic Pole. She currently lives in Minneapolis, and is still alive today. It's a gripping story, and you won't be able to put it down. It is both saddening and heartwarming at the same time. There is joy and lots of sorrow. I would recommend it for anyone, I love it. If you liked the Diary of Anne Frank, you will also enjoy this!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hardly able to put it down... I'm very interested in anything having to do with the Holocaust and like to focus my reading on particular aspects such as how things went in a particular country, or how people survived in hiding, or children in the Holocaust, etc. Sabina's living in the open is a subject I find particularly fascinating....

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is a sobering account of the horrors endured by millions during the reign of Hitler and the extermination of so many Jews. The courage and strength of character of Sabina Zimering is amazing.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this after meeting Sabina. She is an inspiration. If you live in the Twin Cities and get a chance to hear her speak you will understand what resilience means.

[Jodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writings of Sabina Zimering who survived "Hiding in the Open" in Nazi occupied Germany. A fine piece of work from the heart of one who knew.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story of two Jewish Polish sisters who lived through WWII by pretending to be Cathoic Polish sisters. They even go into Germany! Amazing!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book considering it was written by a surviver (a MD, not a writer).

[Kto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still can't believe how these two sisters survived - it's truly an incredible life!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an incredible true story about a young jewish girl during the Holocaust... I had a chance to see the author speak in person, delightful women. Highly recommended!

[Julie Bredesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this painful true story