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Invisible Jews: Surviving the Holocaust in Poland: The Amazing Story of a Jewish Family that Hid and Evaded the Nazi Holocaust in Poland during WWII
"A Holocaust story which must be read" — "An amazing story of survival against all odds" — "A simply incredible story of grit and ingenuity" — "Needs to be on a mandatory reading list for every school!" Eddie Bielawski was born in the town of Wegrow in Poland in mid-1938. Not a propitious time and place for a Jewish child to be born. As a young child, he watched the Nazi army marching toward Russia. Day and night they marched — soldiers, trucks, tanks, and more soldiers, in a never-ending line — an invincible force. He heard his father whisper in shock, "Who is going to stop them?" One night, Eddie’s father had a dream. In this dream, he saw what he had to where to build the bunker, how to build it, and even its dimensions. It took him three weeks to finish the job. When he was done, he took his family into the shed and asked them if they could find the trap door. When they could not, he was satisfied. This would be their Noah's Ark, saving them from the initial deluge.For three long years, starting in 1941 when the Nazis started the deportations and mass killings, Eddie and his family hid in secret bunkers that were dug in fields, under sheds, or constructed in barn lofts. It seemed that the only way that a Jew could survive in wartime Poland was to become invisible. So they became invisible Jews."Inspiring to read of their resilience, ingenuity, and courage in overcoming almost unbearable circumstances. I highly recommend this great read!” —Cathie Johnson"If you read Anne Frank, then read this! So amazing and inspiring." —Virginia Cummings
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2017
696 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 26, 2020
What a interesting and thought provoking short read. A story of survival against all the odds. This was such an insightful read and made me realise how good I have it and while the world is going through a Pandemic nothing compares to what it took for this family to survive through years of war
For three years Eddie Bielawski and his family watched while the Nazis took over their town and knew their fate was sealed, Eddie’s father had a dream to build a bunker and save his family, and he made his dream a reality. Over the course of 3 years from 1941 when the Nazis started the deportations and mass killings Eddie and his family hid in secret bunkers in the fields, under sheds and barn lofts and through all the odds survived the war but this story is heartbreaking.
What an amazing account of courage, determination, wit and intelligence. I was in awe of Eddie’s father and mother’s remarkable strength of character and resourcefulness to protect and feed their family over years of hiding out from the Nazis.
While this is a short book, it certainly packs a punch and makes the reader wonder how they would have coped in a similar situation. The prose is simple but so effective.
I listened to this one on audible and the narrator Norman Gillian was excellent and really draws you into the story.
I am so grateful to Eddie Bielawski and his family for sharing their story and I highly recommend this book for readers interested in survival stories.
For three years Eddie Bielawski and his family watched while the Nazis took over their town and knew their fate was sealed, Eddie’s father had a dream to build a bunker and save his family, and he made his dream a reality. Over the course of 3 years from 1941 when the Nazis started the deportations and mass killings Eddie and his family hid in secret bunkers in the fields, under sheds and barn lofts and through all the odds survived the war but this story is heartbreaking.
What an amazing account of courage, determination, wit and intelligence. I was in awe of Eddie’s father and mother’s remarkable strength of character and resourcefulness to protect and feed their family over years of hiding out from the Nazis.
While this is a short book, it certainly packs a punch and makes the reader wonder how they would have coped in a similar situation. The prose is simple but so effective.
I listened to this one on audible and the narrator Norman Gillian was excellent and really draws you into the story.
I am so grateful to Eddie Bielawski and his family for sharing their story and I highly recommend this book for readers interested in survival stories.
June 18, 2020
The resilience it took for this family and many other jewish people to overcome such horrific odds against them during the holocaust is well accounted in Mr. Bielawski's novella. It is amazing and heartbreaking the things they went through and he tells it all so well. This story is highly recommended. We must never forget. 💕
October 31, 2020
The story of a jewish family hiding from the Nazis in Poland..
A true story written very good..
In the midst of much sufferings the resilience of the human spirit shines..
A book about how to deal with difficult situations without losing the mind or fall in deep despair..
My full recommendation!!!
Dean;)
A true story written very good..
In the midst of much sufferings the resilience of the human spirit shines..
A book about how to deal with difficult situations without losing the mind or fall in deep despair..
My full recommendation!!!
Dean;)
November 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, even though it was short it shares such a powerful story. Eddie is one of the youngest holocaust survivors I've read about that has some memory of the events. What an incredible story he has. Eddie and his family spent the years during the war surviving in hiding. Every time I read a recount I learn more and I share what happened, which needs to be shown more.
March 31, 2025
A moving story.
This is an eye-opening short biography. It is about a Polish-Jewish family who stealthily kept themselves hidden throughout WW2. It is a testament to human endurance and brings home the ongoing effects of Nazi policy on generations of Jewish people.
This is an eye-opening short biography. It is about a Polish-Jewish family who stealthily kept themselves hidden throughout WW2. It is a testament to human endurance and brings home the ongoing effects of Nazi policy on generations of Jewish people.
December 14, 2021
“Invisible Jews'' written by Eddie Bielawski, is a fantastic story about the holocaust. Eddie Bielawski did a fantastic job of bringing his story to life in a way that connected to the readers, and also taught more in-depth on the horrors of the holocaust. This book taught me a lot more about the holocaust from a personal standpoint. It was very interesting to read about Eddie’s family trying to hide from the holocaust. Usually, you only hear this point of view from Anne Frank's story. I found it intriguing how he wrote about the german brutality, the loss of their home and loved ones, and just the constant anxiety they had to live in while hiding. His testimony of the holocaust is absolutely heart breaking, and i definitely recommend reading “Invisible Jews.”
One thing I admired a lot about this story is the Author's use of rhetorical devices. Such as his use of Identification on page 94,”I almost saint, “Hey, you are looking in the wrong place; it's not there, it in the toothpaste.'' The temptation to show off was very strong. Here was this big, uniformed Pole looking for something and I, a seven-year-old kid, knew where it was.” He also uses a lot of Informal language in his book, such as page 33,”I remember being yanked out of bed and rushed down, together with my father, mother and sister, into the bunker that my father had prepared.” He uses onomatopoeia when describing the songs that the germans sang when they marched,”Hi li hi lo hi la, Hi li hi lo hi la, Hi li hi lo, Hi la la la la la la la la.”' Eddie also uses a metaphor in the title of the book, “Invisible Jews,” because they aren’t actually invisible. Finally, he illustrates and gives examples of the people, places, and things that he talks about in this book. I found this to be very helpful in picturing what his life looked like.
Overall I really appreciate this story. I think it is important to learn and read about people’s stories in the holocaust, and we must never forget each and every story that is told by the people that survived.
One thing I admired a lot about this story is the Author's use of rhetorical devices. Such as his use of Identification on page 94,”I almost saint, “Hey, you are looking in the wrong place; it's not there, it in the toothpaste.'' The temptation to show off was very strong. Here was this big, uniformed Pole looking for something and I, a seven-year-old kid, knew where it was.” He also uses a lot of Informal language in his book, such as page 33,”I remember being yanked out of bed and rushed down, together with my father, mother and sister, into the bunker that my father had prepared.” He uses onomatopoeia when describing the songs that the germans sang when they marched,”Hi li hi lo hi la, Hi li hi lo hi la, Hi li hi lo, Hi la la la la la la la la.”' Eddie also uses a metaphor in the title of the book, “Invisible Jews,” because they aren’t actually invisible. Finally, he illustrates and gives examples of the people, places, and things that he talks about in this book. I found this to be very helpful in picturing what his life looked like.
Overall I really appreciate this story. I think it is important to learn and read about people’s stories in the holocaust, and we must never forget each and every story that is told by the people that survived.
April 3, 2018
"Eddie Bielawski is probably one of the youngest Holocaust survivors with any memory of the war years." It's simply staggering how his family survived against all odds. Eddie's father Yitzhak Bielawski was incredible using his wits and ingenuity to keep his whole family safe.
September 20, 2018
A quick, interesting read. Stories like this must be told with the ever growing discussions and books that claim the holocaust never happened.
4 Stares
4 Stares
February 18, 2020
Very Quick
I believe the most interesting parts were at the very end, as well as the drunken clapping Russian. It was a very quick read, as the story sort of ends before it gets to begin. I suppose not much can be written when not much even happened. I'm not upset I read this, but I'm not overjoyed either, sort of like drinking a glass of milk, assuming you're not lactose intolerant. If anything, I'll be thinking of what being a diabetic has to do with dying after being stabbed, so there's that at least.
I believe the most interesting parts were at the very end, as well as the drunken clapping Russian. It was a very quick read, as the story sort of ends before it gets to begin. I suppose not much can be written when not much even happened. I'm not upset I read this, but I'm not overjoyed either, sort of like drinking a glass of milk, assuming you're not lactose intolerant. If anything, I'll be thinking of what being a diabetic has to do with dying after being stabbed, so there's that at least.
November 29, 2020
Quite an exciting book! This true life story of surviving the holocaust is inspiration of surviving many issues we all face during contemporary times as well.
October 17, 2019
Invisible Jews: Surviving the Holocaust in Poland is by Eddie Bielawski. Eddie was born in 1938 and is probably the youngest survivor who remembers anything about this time. He did have help with the first years from his parents’ stories and his sister’s remembrances. However, much of it he remembers on his own. This makes his memoir more remarkable. He writes from the perspective of a young child and his writing is clear and precise. He is able to pull the reader into his work in such a way that the reader has great empathy for the characters.
Eddie and his family survived the Holocaust by living in a series of dugouts and other hiding places that his Father and uncles built. His family consisted of his parents, his sister, four uncles, one aunt, and a grandmother. They all survived. Keeping a family of four alive by hiding was difficult and a family of ten almost impossible. Yet with luck, a few decent Poles who were willing to help, and all the money they could come up with, the family survived.
The story is told with such matter-of-factness that never doubt wonderful things will happen for the family and they do. From the hell of the Holocaust in Poland to the hardships of the US after the war to war-torn Israel, we follow the footsteps of Eddie and his family. It is an amazing adventure.
Eddie and his family survived the Holocaust by living in a series of dugouts and other hiding places that his Father and uncles built. His family consisted of his parents, his sister, four uncles, one aunt, and a grandmother. They all survived. Keeping a family of four alive by hiding was difficult and a family of ten almost impossible. Yet with luck, a few decent Poles who were willing to help, and all the money they could come up with, the family survived.
The story is told with such matter-of-factness that never doubt wonderful things will happen for the family and they do. From the hell of the Holocaust in Poland to the hardships of the US after the war to war-torn Israel, we follow the footsteps of Eddie and his family. It is an amazing adventure.
February 18, 2018
Well written, fascinating account of a child's survival under unspeakable conditions. Told in an almost matter of fact manner, it still evokes the terror and hardship.
I found my skin crawling as he spoke of the filth, the lice and the conditions in which they had to live.
He stays away from any drama and seems to have no hatred toward the people who betrayed and exploited his family.
I was left with great admiration for his father's and his mother's courage, devotion and ingenuity in keeping their two children and several other family members safe and alive through the years before and during the war.
His is the kind of family we wish everyone had.
I am very glad I read this book. It inspired and gave me hope.
I found my skin crawling as he spoke of the filth, the lice and the conditions in which they had to live.
He stays away from any drama and seems to have no hatred toward the people who betrayed and exploited his family.
I was left with great admiration for his father's and his mother's courage, devotion and ingenuity in keeping their two children and several other family members safe and alive through the years before and during the war.
His is the kind of family we wish everyone had.
I am very glad I read this book. It inspired and gave me hope.
August 24, 2019
A true tale of tragedy, bravery & overcoming horrible adversity!
Eddie's tale skillfully written in a plain-"spoken" yet exciting manner, is a story lived a thousand different ways by the Jews of WWII Europe! What his parents & other relatives overcame was nothing short of a miracle as he often points out in these pages. He doesn't wallow in maudlin self-pity nor try to bundle it in a flowery philosophy. He writes a straightforward tale of a father & mother simply repeating day after day an unbelievably hard struggle to keep themselves & their children alive. His parents wanted their family not just to bear testament to a murderous Holocaust but to stay alive in order to enjoy a God-given life to which every human has a right.
Eddie's tale skillfully written in a plain-"spoken" yet exciting manner, is a story lived a thousand different ways by the Jews of WWII Europe! What his parents & other relatives overcame was nothing short of a miracle as he often points out in these pages. He doesn't wallow in maudlin self-pity nor try to bundle it in a flowery philosophy. He writes a straightforward tale of a father & mother simply repeating day after day an unbelievably hard struggle to keep themselves & their children alive. His parents wanted their family not just to bear testament to a murderous Holocaust but to stay alive in order to enjoy a God-given life to which every human has a right.
March 4, 2021
The author was just a toddler when his family began hiding in various places in an attempt to avoid the Nazis that had invaded Poland as well as Polish neighbors all too willing to turn in a Jew. They hid in holes dug in the ground, they hid in barns, they hid behind a false wall built to look like it had always been there. Amazingly, his entire family survived the war and the Holocaust by becoming invisible. The book is pretty short and reads fast. It tells his memories of those years with fill in from his sister and other family members who were older than he was. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Holocaust survivor stories. This is the first one I’ve read that didn’t involve being sent to a concentration camp so I found it very interesting.
June 25, 2023
Filled with historical facts
I like the book it didn't have unnecessary details And span over many many years. The hardship is Jewish people went through us heartbreaking too. To this day I don't understand it. Alexa I'm enjoying reading the book and read it every night until I finished. The resourcefulness of the Jewish people on how they took care of each other and watched out for their families It was Heartwarming. The children are lucky to have a father that was So Creative About making money and keeping a Roof over his families head.It's a book well worth reading and I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone I'd like to know more about History and about the jews that served and the atrocities from the Germans.
I like the book it didn't have unnecessary details And span over many many years. The hardship is Jewish people went through us heartbreaking too. To this day I don't understand it. Alexa I'm enjoying reading the book and read it every night until I finished. The resourcefulness of the Jewish people on how they took care of each other and watched out for their families It was Heartwarming. The children are lucky to have a father that was So Creative About making money and keeping a Roof over his families head.It's a book well worth reading and I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone I'd like to know more about History and about the jews that served and the atrocities from the Germans.
November 15, 2017
Daring Survival
This interesting, informative narrative gives an accurate description of the life of a young boy and his family as they struggled to survive the horrors of a life in hiding in Poland during the Holocaust. The period of survival after the war and what the family experienced as they built their new life is also included. I read this book in one sitting and though it was a terribly difficult and dangerous experience, I found it to be inspiring to read of the family’s resilience, ingenuity, and courage in overcoming almost unbearable circumstances. I highly recommend this good read!
This interesting, informative narrative gives an accurate description of the life of a young boy and his family as they struggled to survive the horrors of a life in hiding in Poland during the Holocaust. The period of survival after the war and what the family experienced as they built their new life is also included. I read this book in one sitting and though it was a terribly difficult and dangerous experience, I found it to be inspiring to read of the family’s resilience, ingenuity, and courage in overcoming almost unbearable circumstances. I highly recommend this good read!
March 16, 2019
Surviving the Holocaust
This book is about a Jewish family who survived the Holocaust by using ingenuity. They lived in hidden rooms in barns, underground bunkers in fields, and other places where they could pay non-Jews to hide them. They blended in with non-Jews to make purchases of food and other necessities. The family survived World War II and immigrated to Canada. The author of this book got several college degrees and taught for more than 40 years in Canada and Israel.
This book was very informative and I encourage you to read it is you are interested in Holocaust survivors.
This book is about a Jewish family who survived the Holocaust by using ingenuity. They lived in hidden rooms in barns, underground bunkers in fields, and other places where they could pay non-Jews to hide them. They blended in with non-Jews to make purchases of food and other necessities. The family survived World War II and immigrated to Canada. The author of this book got several college degrees and taught for more than 40 years in Canada and Israel.
This book was very informative and I encourage you to read it is you are interested in Holocaust survivors.
October 21, 2019
Testament of survival
One of the few books that discusses the timeline and existence of this family with out detail of all the bad. Quite opposite this book details the clever ways one can survive if they were forced to think outside the box. P
The right to survive as guided by G-D Showing all the things that went right but could have gone horribly wrong.
I just wish your father could have lived to see his grandchildren.
What happened to your mother after she sold the store?
Great book easy read!
One of the few books that discusses the timeline and existence of this family with out detail of all the bad. Quite opposite this book details the clever ways one can survive if they were forced to think outside the box. P
The right to survive as guided by G-D Showing all the things that went right but could have gone horribly wrong.
I just wish your father could have lived to see his grandchildren.
What happened to your mother after she sold the store?
Great book easy read!
January 7, 2020
Always nice to read the story of people who were able to evade the Nazis and find freedom after the war. The author was just an infant when war broke out in Poland so most of his recount seems to be from the stories he grew up hearing & knowing from his family. His father and adult family members were very smart as they recognized the serious consequences as they prepared for the war and the round ups that would ultimately come to their town. I enjoyed reading about their settlement after the war.
July 21, 2020
This is not an academic record of the Holocaust but one mans memories of how his family miraculously survived it. With exceptional parents and a father and uncles who were particularly brave and perceptive they hid by using their own stealth and paying people to help them. They suffered near starvation, illness and became nomads fleeing for their lives. The writing is not exceptional but just how one person would tell his story to another but worth reading to never forget what happened to some people and admire them for their resilience and determination.
August 8, 2021
A simply told but compelling tale
Fascinating to read about the experiences of an entire Jewish family that managed to hide during the war. I've read many accounts of "hidden children," and of adult concentration camp survivors. It was a testament to Eddie's parents they basically kept the family together while staying hidden for long periods under conditions both horrid and dangerous. He seems to have inherited their wonderful legacy of both loving-kindness and resilience. His family's story is truly inspiring.
Fascinating to read about the experiences of an entire Jewish family that managed to hide during the war. I've read many accounts of "hidden children," and of adult concentration camp survivors. It was a testament to Eddie's parents they basically kept the family together while staying hidden for long periods under conditions both horrid and dangerous. He seems to have inherited their wonderful legacy of both loving-kindness and resilience. His family's story is truly inspiring.
April 28, 2024
A Tale of the Survival Against All Odds
Written in a straightforward and honest way, Eddie recounts life in hiding. He doesn't fo into tons of detail on how if felt to be starving, etc , but instead paints a good picture of their struggles. It's a testament to his father's resourcefulness and to good fortune that they managed to survive and thrive. As a Canadian, it is the only story I have read of what it was like for survivors once they immigrated to Canada. It's well worth reading. Thank you for writing it, Eddie.
Written in a straightforward and honest way, Eddie recounts life in hiding. He doesn't fo into tons of detail on how if felt to be starving, etc , but instead paints a good picture of their struggles. It's a testament to his father's resourcefulness and to good fortune that they managed to survive and thrive. As a Canadian, it is the only story I have read of what it was like for survivors once they immigrated to Canada. It's well worth reading. Thank you for writing it, Eddie.
April 21, 2018
Polish Jews who lived to tell their stories
A riveting story about one family's determination to survive Nazi occupation of Poland. They suffered terribly but never gave up their dream of escaping.
It also allows the reader to learn what was happening from someone who lived through it all.
These stories need to be read especially by young people who know little about the Nazis and the horror of Hitler's plan to exterminate the Jews and the occupation of so many countries .
A riveting story about one family's determination to survive Nazi occupation of Poland. They suffered terribly but never gave up their dream of escaping.
It also allows the reader to learn what was happening from someone who lived through it all.
These stories need to be read especially by young people who know little about the Nazis and the horror of Hitler's plan to exterminate the Jews and the occupation of so many countries .
July 16, 2019
This book was a good book, very touching
I chose to rate this book a 4 star. The book was vivid in its detail, and very interesting. There were parts of the book that made you feel like you were there, especially with the pictures. I recommend this book to those looking for a informative read of what happened to the beloved Jewish people during this terrible time in history. The kind of book that leaves an impression on you. Thank you for sharing your story.
I chose to rate this book a 4 star. The book was vivid in its detail, and very interesting. There were parts of the book that made you feel like you were there, especially with the pictures. I recommend this book to those looking for a informative read of what happened to the beloved Jewish people during this terrible time in history. The kind of book that leaves an impression on you. Thank you for sharing your story.
March 7, 2020
A Personal Account that is moving
Eddie writes a moving story of his family's will to survive the evil destruction of the Nazi's and a wi
Eddie writes a moving account of his family's determination to survive the
Holocaust in Poland. He paints a vivid picture of his dad's continuous work and ingenuity to keep the family alive. A testimony to man's ability to overcome. I highly recommend this book.
Eddie writes a moving story of his family's will to survive the evil destruction of the Nazi's and a wi
Eddie writes a moving account of his family's determination to survive the
Holocaust in Poland. He paints a vivid picture of his dad's continuous work and ingenuity to keep the family alive. A testimony to man's ability to overcome. I highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2018
A very good memoir of surviving the holocaust
This is a really well-written and readable memoir. It is detailed enough to leave readers with some understanding of what this man went through as a child during the holocaust. It is amazing to me how resilient and courageous this family was.
This is a really well-written and readable memoir. It is detailed enough to leave readers with some understanding of what this man went through as a child during the holocaust. It is amazing to me how resilient and courageous this family was.
June 15, 2018
A quick read, this first person account of the Holocaust is an important piece of history, but it lacks the details and depth to make it a really interesting book. It reads as if you are sitting in a kitchen and Eddie is telling you his story as he remembers it, but at times the family members get confusing and it lacks emotional connection to the events he is describing.
September 21, 2018
Survival
I have read several books on the survival of all these innocent people😟 each one as this one is so terribly horrifically sad and unbelievable! But sadly it is all the truth! Very good writing! We have to keep this horrific crime alive in everyone mind so it never never happens again!!!!! WE CAN'T EVER FORGET OR FORGIVE WHAT HAPPENED TO INNOCENT PEOPLE!
I have read several books on the survival of all these innocent people😟 each one as this one is so terribly horrifically sad and unbelievable! But sadly it is all the truth! Very good writing! We have to keep this horrific crime alive in everyone mind so it never never happens again!!!!! WE CAN'T EVER FORGET OR FORGIVE WHAT HAPPENED TO INNOCENT PEOPLE!
November 24, 2018
The hurting past
This is about the hurting past. It’s not a literature wonder. It’s more a memory written by one who remembers the past with out bitterness that you would think that a person going thru this would have. It’s more a documentary. You can feel his pain and his hope. It’s worth reading it’s an important document.
This is about the hurting past. It’s not a literature wonder. It’s more a memory written by one who remembers the past with out bitterness that you would think that a person going thru this would have. It’s more a documentary. You can feel his pain and his hope. It’s worth reading it’s an important document.
January 17, 2019
An unusual story of triumph over evil
A beautifully told story of not only survival but triumph in the times of the Holocaust. There are several stories of tragic lives lost...but this one is an amazing one of miraculous grit and determination to overcome the worst and come out really strong.
A beautifully told story of not only survival but triumph in the times of the Holocaust. There are several stories of tragic lives lost...but this one is an amazing one of miraculous grit and determination to overcome the worst and come out really strong.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews