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The Secret Jewish Sisters: A WW2 Historical Novel, Based on the True Story of a Holocaust Survivor
Her sister held on to hope. She held on to their secret.
Germany, 1939. As the Nazi Party rises to power and hatred fills the streets, sisters Rita and Suzie are sent to live in a small abbey outside Antwerp, Belgium. Under the guise of two Christian orphans, the pair is left in the care of the abbey’s Mother Superior, but not before their father entrusts Rita with a task that will forever change her life…
Just nine years old, Rita is left in charge not only of her sister — but of the dangerous secret of their Jewish identities. While the young and impressionable Suzie is quick to embrace the abbey’s Christian upbringing, utterly unaware of her family roots, Rita remains haunted by the secret that could spell only heartbreak and pain for them both.
Alone in a world engulfed in war, Rita is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her sister survives — and never learn the truth. But when their old identities eventually clash with the new, Rita is surprised to learn that the right choice is not that simple anymore. Can she bring herself to turn away from the life she grew to love?
Inspired by the true story of two sisters’ survival during World War II, The Secret Jewish Sisters is a heartbreaking tale of identity, survival, and sisterly love, perfect for fans of The Nightingale, Kelly Rimmer, and The Lighthouse Sisters.
Germany, 1939. As the Nazi Party rises to power and hatred fills the streets, sisters Rita and Suzie are sent to live in a small abbey outside Antwerp, Belgium. Under the guise of two Christian orphans, the pair is left in the care of the abbey’s Mother Superior, but not before their father entrusts Rita with a task that will forever change her life…
Just nine years old, Rita is left in charge not only of her sister — but of the dangerous secret of their Jewish identities. While the young and impressionable Suzie is quick to embrace the abbey’s Christian upbringing, utterly unaware of her family roots, Rita remains haunted by the secret that could spell only heartbreak and pain for them both.
Alone in a world engulfed in war, Rita is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her sister survives — and never learn the truth. But when their old identities eventually clash with the new, Rita is surprised to learn that the right choice is not that simple anymore. Can she bring herself to turn away from the life she grew to love?
Inspired by the true story of two sisters’ survival during World War II, The Secret Jewish Sisters is a heartbreaking tale of identity, survival, and sisterly love, perfect for fans of The Nightingale, Kelly Rimmer, and The Lighthouse Sisters.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
390 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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October 21, 2024This is such an emotional book. I loved every second of it and did not want to finish it. Rita and her sister were Jewish and were placed in a catholic girls school. Just before he left, he told nine-year-old Rita that she was Jewish and not to forget it; but not to tell Suzy and risk the four-year-old telling someone. The girls were raised as Catholic with Suzy taking it much more seriously than Ruth.
How will Suzy deal with learning she is actually Jewish? How does this secret affect the girls' lives later in life?
How will Suzy deal with learning she is actually Jewish? How does this secret affect the girls' lives later in life?
January 31, 2026
A sad yet compelling story. If you like historical stories based on true events, this is a good read. It’s written more along an informative line so there are very few surprises but lots of sadness.
January 13, 2025
The Secret Jewish Sisters by Tikva Rager is a compelling historical novel. It is the first book in Unforgettable World War II Stories and can be read as a stand-alone. Each book in the series is written by a different author.
The book is fictional but is based on facts as we follow two young German Jewish sisters through the war years and beyond.
Smuggled out of Nazi Germany to Belgium, the two sisters are eventually hidden in a Catholic orphanage. They are physically hiding and they are also hiding who they really are. For the youngest sister, she believes she is Christian as she has no recollection of ever being Jewish. It is more complicated for the older sister as she remembers her Jewishness but makes a personal decision to become a Christian.
We witness the internal conflict their identities bring to both girls when an uncle returns after the war and demands they return to their roots – both physically and in their faith. Christianity is to be hidden. Their Jewishness is to be celebrated. The reader feels for these girls as they struggle to be who they really are. As their religions collide there are some awful consequences.
The Secret Jewish Sisters was a quick read that occupied me for a few hours.
The book is fictional but is based on facts as we follow two young German Jewish sisters through the war years and beyond.
Smuggled out of Nazi Germany to Belgium, the two sisters are eventually hidden in a Catholic orphanage. They are physically hiding and they are also hiding who they really are. For the youngest sister, she believes she is Christian as she has no recollection of ever being Jewish. It is more complicated for the older sister as she remembers her Jewishness but makes a personal decision to become a Christian.
We witness the internal conflict their identities bring to both girls when an uncle returns after the war and demands they return to their roots – both physically and in their faith. Christianity is to be hidden. Their Jewishness is to be celebrated. The reader feels for these girls as they struggle to be who they really are. As their religions collide there are some awful consequences.
The Secret Jewish Sisters was a quick read that occupied me for a few hours.
January 22, 2025
Germany, 1939. As the Nazi Party rises to power and hatred fills the streets, sisters Rita and Suzie are sent to live in a small abbey outside Antwerp, Belgium. Under the guise of two Christian orphans, the pair is left in the care of the abbey’s Mother Superior, but not before their father entrusts Rita with a task that will forever change her life…
Just nine years old, Rita is left in charge not only of her sister — but of the dangerous secret of their Jewish identities. While the young and impressionable Suzie is quick to embrace the abbey’s Christian upbringing, utterly unaware of her family roots, Rita remains haunted by the secret that could spell only heartbreak and pain for them both.
Alone in a world engulfed in war, Rita is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her sister survives — and never learn the truth. But when their old identities eventually clash with the new, Rita is surprised to learn that the right choice is not that simple anymore. Can she bring herself to turn away from the life she grew to love?
Inspired by the true story of two sisters’ survival during World War II, The Secret Jewish Sisters is a heartbreaking tale of identity, survival, and sisterly love,
Just nine years old, Rita is left in charge not only of her sister — but of the dangerous secret of their Jewish identities. While the young and impressionable Suzie is quick to embrace the abbey’s Christian upbringing, utterly unaware of her family roots, Rita remains haunted by the secret that could spell only heartbreak and pain for them both.
Alone in a world engulfed in war, Rita is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her sister survives — and never learn the truth. But when their old identities eventually clash with the new, Rita is surprised to learn that the right choice is not that simple anymore. Can she bring herself to turn away from the life she grew to love?
Inspired by the true story of two sisters’ survival during World War II, The Secret Jewish Sisters is a heartbreaking tale of identity, survival, and sisterly love,
January 22, 2025
Totally unexpected
I wasn't sure where this book would lead me. The travesty of the loss of so many Jewish people during WWII but yet the lives that lived because parents gave their children to convents. These young girls were torn between two religions. My heart went out to them.
I wasn't sure where this book would lead me. The travesty of the loss of so many Jewish people during WWII but yet the lives that lived because parents gave their children to convents. These young girls were torn between two religions. My heart went out to them.
April 16, 2025
catholic theology and a bit repetitive
Story premise was interesting but it seemed as though a lot of repetition and filler were used.
Jewish girl becomes catholic and marries secular Jew.
Schedule believes all roads go to Heaven.
Not my cup of tea.
Story premise was interesting but it seemed as though a lot of repetition and filler were used.
Jewish girl becomes catholic and marries secular Jew.
Schedule believes all roads go to Heaven.
Not my cup of tea.
December 26, 2025
Disjointed
The author writes in simplistic sentences and hops around time frames with abandon- she was very wrong about the dates of Notre Dame—- it was started in the 1200# CE NOT the 1200s BCE
The author writes in simplistic sentences and hops around time frames with abandon- she was very wrong about the dates of Notre Dame—- it was started in the 1200# CE NOT the 1200s BCE
May 31, 2024
grannies
A lot is packed into this book. Lots of history, some very sad Holocaust events, but a great ending. Entertaining as well
A lot is packed into this book. Lots of history, some very sad Holocaust events, but a great ending. Entertaining as well
November 29, 2024
Happy Ending
Very interesting journey that shows the clash between two fervent religions, who believe in the same God. Lacking the innate respect for each other’s beliefs.
Very interesting journey that shows the clash between two fervent religions, who believe in the same God. Lacking the innate respect for each other’s beliefs.
February 1, 2025
Very easy reading. Knowing this was based off true stories of the war was amazing.
February 23, 2025
OK for historical fiction centering around the aftermath of the Holocaust. Not the best story I've read but still worthwhile. Somewhat predictable with limited character development.
March 6, 2025
Great read of a sad time!
June 28, 2025
Truthfull life during the war
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews