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Shores Beyond Shores - from Holocaust to Hope, My True Story: A Bergen-Belsen Survivor's story of Hope over Adversity
As Irene’s Pappi fights to save his family during the Holocaust, Irene’s childhood is lost. Play is restricted. Family and friends disappear. Finally, with the Dutch police at their door comes the reality that Irene’s father has not moved his family far enough from Hitler’s Germany.
By January 1945, the family is struggling to survive a death camp. Irene tends her ailing parents, cares for starving kids, and even helps bring clothes to her Amsterdam neighbor Anne Frank, before her family is offered a singular chance for freedom…providing the Nazi doctor says they are healthy enough. After two weeks of heart-lifting miracles and heart-breaking tragedies, Irene arrives in the Algerian desert to journey into redemption and womanhood, without her parents or brother.
Irene’s first person memoir, Shores Beyond Shores, is an account of how the heart keeps its common humanity in the most inhumane and turbulent of times. Irene’s hard-earned lessons are a timeless inspiration.
By January 1945, the family is struggling to survive a death camp. Irene tends her ailing parents, cares for starving kids, and even helps bring clothes to her Amsterdam neighbor Anne Frank, before her family is offered a singular chance for freedom…providing the Nazi doctor says they are healthy enough. After two weeks of heart-lifting miracles and heart-breaking tragedies, Irene arrives in the Algerian desert to journey into redemption and womanhood, without her parents or brother.
Irene’s first person memoir, Shores Beyond Shores, is an account of how the heart keeps its common humanity in the most inhumane and turbulent of times. Irene’s hard-earned lessons are a timeless inspiration.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2018
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489 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 4, 2019
My family heard Irene Butter speak at the Ann Arbor District Library, largely because I thought it was important that my children (13 and 15) hear and meet a Holocaust survivor. She was wonderful, and we each came away with a copy of her book. I’ve just finished it, and it is powerful and heartbreaking. Butter came of age during the Nazi rise and occupation, and she and her family moved several times before being sent to Westerbork and then Bergen-Belsen. She clearly tells of her growing awareness as she moves through childhood to her teenage years, of what happened to her schooling, her friendships, of what family meant through this time, and of the hardship and terror of the camps. The story of how she survived and made it out is powerful yet still heartbreaking. I just re-read the beginning of my review and I said that at the outset, didn’t I? I don’t have better words. We must tell and retell these stories. My thanks to the author for telling hers. We should all read this. We must never forget.
August 29, 2018
"We are all hungry for stories of hope and triumph over tragedy," writes author Irene Hasenberg Butter in her book Shores Beyond Shores: From Holocaust to Hope. Despite the difficult subject matter, Irene Butter's story is, ultimately, one of hope. This book was definitely not light escapist reading, but necessary. This should be required reading in high school history classes.
Butter remained basically silent about the experience until she was in her late fifties and realized that her silence allowed others to forget the Holocaust. "I thought of my parents, especially my Pappi, and all they had sacrificed for me. I had to exhibit that kind of courage and be the voice that others were denied," Butter writes. "So I began to speak, and I haven't been quiet since."
Thank goodness for that, for without her voice, readers would never come to know Irene Butter, her brother Werner Hasenberg, and the parents who protected and guided them through the unimaginable conditions in the Jewish concentration camps. What powerful writing! I read the book in one sitting and found myself crying with and for Butter and her family several times.
What the author is doing with her experience is extraordinary. An inspirational speaker, she stresses that one person can make a difference. A well-known peace activist, Irene co-founded Zeitouna, an organization of Jewish and Arab women working for peace. Her powerful story demonstrates that a survivor of horrific circumstances can not only survive but thrive.
by Mary Potter Kenyon
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
Butter remained basically silent about the experience until she was in her late fifties and realized that her silence allowed others to forget the Holocaust. "I thought of my parents, especially my Pappi, and all they had sacrificed for me. I had to exhibit that kind of courage and be the voice that others were denied," Butter writes. "So I began to speak, and I haven't been quiet since."
Thank goodness for that, for without her voice, readers would never come to know Irene Butter, her brother Werner Hasenberg, and the parents who protected and guided them through the unimaginable conditions in the Jewish concentration camps. What powerful writing! I read the book in one sitting and found myself crying with and for Butter and her family several times.
What the author is doing with her experience is extraordinary. An inspirational speaker, she stresses that one person can make a difference. A well-known peace activist, Irene co-founded Zeitouna, an organization of Jewish and Arab women working for peace. Her powerful story demonstrates that a survivor of horrific circumstances can not only survive but thrive.
by Mary Potter Kenyon
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
August 30, 2018
What powerful writing! I read the book in one sitting and found myself crying with and for Butter and her family several times.
What the author is doing with her experience is extraordinary. An inspirational speaker, she stresses that one person can make a difference. A well-known peace activist, Irene co-founded Zeitouna, an organization of Jewish and Arab women working for peace. Her powerful story demonstrates that a survivor of horrific circumstances can not only survive but thrive.
What the author is doing with her experience is extraordinary. An inspirational speaker, she stresses that one person can make a difference. A well-known peace activist, Irene co-founded Zeitouna, an organization of Jewish and Arab women working for peace. Her powerful story demonstrates that a survivor of horrific circumstances can not only survive but thrive.
January 16, 2021
I purchased this book because Irene butter will be speaking at my daughters school. It was a great story and a quick read. Very thoughtful and beautiful portrait of family. I read in one sitting.
April 13, 2018
Amazing. Moving. Powerful. Hopeful. Did I say amazing?
January 30, 2025
Beautiful. Please read. Six years ago Irene Butter a scholar, philanthropist and Holocaust survivor came to my middle schooler’s Girl Scout meeting to speak. I purchased her book book, but sadly waited six years to complete it.. Irene is a sweet woman born to a fine and loving family, good parents who had been in Berlin for generations contributing to the culture into the economy. But little by little, they were shuttled from Berlin, then to and from Amsterdam, and then to a series concentration camps. After her narrow and miraculous escape, which 6 million others may have dreamt of but would never see, she was a child and young woman with literally no country. There was no home to go to. No place to “go back to.” No place to be deported to by
By the grace of God and good humans and good policy, she is now an American citizen, a lovely Jewish woman and survivor who became a professor of public health, a philanthropist, and more. She co founded “refusing to be enemies” — a group of Jewish and Palestinian women who meet regularly.
. While reading, I realized, we are at the 80th anniversary of these devastating events. May the memories of those lost forever be a blessing. May we never forget. Teach those we love, so they do not forget. It is mind boggling to see what allegiance to a person (or party) can do. What happens to the human psyche over time when we dehumanize a neighbor? Irene Butter writes a harrowing story full of hope. It was a page turner and flowed.
By the grace of God and good humans and good policy, she is now an American citizen, a lovely Jewish woman and survivor who became a professor of public health, a philanthropist, and more. She co founded “refusing to be enemies” — a group of Jewish and Palestinian women who meet regularly.
. While reading, I realized, we are at the 80th anniversary of these devastating events. May the memories of those lost forever be a blessing. May we never forget. Teach those we love, so they do not forget. It is mind boggling to see what allegiance to a person (or party) can do. What happens to the human psyche over time when we dehumanize a neighbor? Irene Butter writes a harrowing story full of hope. It was a page turner and flowed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
I had the great privilege of hearing the author speaker several years ago, and I just now bought and read the e-book. She is an excellent storyteller, and tells of all the circumstances that led up to trips to concentration camps. She tells the story in fascinating detail. I'm just so sorry she had to endure the crulety and inhumane treatment. She went on to earn her PhD and began telling her fascinating story. If you're interested in holocaust stories and recounts from someone who survived the odyssey, I'd highly recommend this book.
December 18, 2021
I never came across a memoir, or historical discussion of families staying together in concentration camps, or the fact that a DP camp was located in Algeria, so I learned something new from this book.
Stories like these are always compelling. I think that because Irene Butter had assistance writing this book with two others, young people, some of the expressions and language are too contemporary. This makes is seem more like a novel than a life story. Unlike many other memoirs of survivors, this one touches upon the horrors in an abstract way. Hunger is the main theme drawn throughout. Finding one dead body may be representative of seeing many. Observing one person die at morning roll call may be representative of many, one beating representative of many, one theft representative of many, etc. These are very gritty subjects of most memoirs, and Bergen-Belson was a death camp. Obviously, this is an editorial decision.
"Finally, in America, I had choices and could exercise my free will. There were no restrictions. No yellow stars on clothing. No men with guns stopping people to see papers." p. 301.
She lived in NYC. This is not the case anymore. Free will is limited, and people with guns stop people to see papers.
Stories like these are always compelling. I think that because Irene Butter had assistance writing this book with two others, young people, some of the expressions and language are too contemporary. This makes is seem more like a novel than a life story. Unlike many other memoirs of survivors, this one touches upon the horrors in an abstract way. Hunger is the main theme drawn throughout. Finding one dead body may be representative of seeing many. Observing one person die at morning roll call may be representative of many, one beating representative of many, one theft representative of many, etc. These are very gritty subjects of most memoirs, and Bergen-Belson was a death camp. Obviously, this is an editorial decision.
"Finally, in America, I had choices and could exercise my free will. There were no restrictions. No yellow stars on clothing. No men with guns stopping people to see papers." p. 301.
She lived in NYC. This is not the case anymore. Free will is limited, and people with guns stop people to see papers.
May 21, 2018
Surviving on the Strength of Family -- For over 40 years, Nazi Holocaust survivor Irene Butter remained silent about the horrors of her childhood. In her mid-50s, she decided she had to speak out. Now in her late 80s, she has engaged for decades in memorial, educational, and peace-building efforts. Shores Beyond Shores is her most recent contribution to guaranteeing that the lessons of the Holocaust are remembered and applied. What makes this story unique is the focus on her family. Through tenacity, abetted by good fortune, Irene, her parents, and older brother stayed together throughout their concentration camp years. Amid the nightmare stories, Butter and her collaborators John Bidwell and Kris Holloway also capture the humor of bantering siblings, the confidences shared by friends, the sacrifices of those who refused to lose their humanity and dignity, even the tenderness of first love. To read and share this book is to help Irene and other survivors carry on their work and spread their message of hope.
September 15, 2025
What a beautifully written book about hope. I was weeping by the time I finished the Postscript. I picked up this book because I realized there was so much about the end of WWII that I didn't know - so many "camps" where refugees were sent that I had never heard of of. This one in Algeria.
"The Swiss had done what the Nazis hadn't been able to: tear apart my family. For two years and despite the thickening threat of death, we had stayed together through the camps...The four of us were finally free, but broken apart by death, sickness, and rules." p 215
My favorite part is when she decided to start talking about her experience and the support she received. I also love that she formed groups of "opposing" people to promote peace. Her daughter moved to Israel and married a Palestinian. There are no words - especially in light of what is happening now.
Oh, and she knew Anne Frank.
"I do it...for young people everywhere. They give me hope that we will lay aside our differences and build a better world, together . One world, one family." p 259
"The Swiss had done what the Nazis hadn't been able to: tear apart my family. For two years and despite the thickening threat of death, we had stayed together through the camps...The four of us were finally free, but broken apart by death, sickness, and rules." p 215
My favorite part is when she decided to start talking about her experience and the support she received. I also love that she formed groups of "opposing" people to promote peace. Her daughter moved to Israel and married a Palestinian. There are no words - especially in light of what is happening now.
Oh, and she knew Anne Frank.
"I do it...for young people everywhere. They give me hope that we will lay aside our differences and build a better world, together . One world, one family." p 259
March 20, 2019
Shores Beyond Shores is an excellent first-person account of the reality of the Holocaust. It starts with the innocence of Irene and clearly shows how her life changed as a Jewish child during Hitler's Germany. Her parents cannot shield her from the terrors of the death camp and but they do all they can to protect her and her brother and get them out of danger. As they flee for their freedom, her father Pappi dies. She becomes separated from an extremely ill mother and brother on her journey to freedom and is completely alone in a strange place.
Irene is eventually reunited with her remaining family and leads what most would view as a successful life. It was difficult to hear her first-person account of her childhood but was refreshing to know that she strived. I only wish I would have been able to hear some of her inspirational and historical speeches. For, those who forget history are destined to repeat it. We need to remember.
Irene is eventually reunited with her remaining family and leads what most would view as a successful life. It was difficult to hear her first-person account of her childhood but was refreshing to know that she strived. I only wish I would have been able to hear some of her inspirational and historical speeches. For, those who forget history are destined to repeat it. We need to remember.
July 12, 2019
An important memoir by one of the “lucky” survivors of Bergen-Belsen. The German family in Amsterdam had obtained Ecuadorian passports — a political fiction agreed to by Ecuadorian and the Nazi governments—which meant that the family was eligible to be traded for German prisoners. Their treatment in the concentration camp was horrific, but they left alive — tragic that this makes them “lucky.”
I do wish that the book had included a preface or afterword explaining the writing of the book and the role of the two co-authors. I think that such details are especially important in a Holocaust memoir, since it functions as a vital historical witness.
I do wish that the book had included a preface or afterword explaining the writing of the book and the role of the two co-authors. I think that such details are especially important in a Holocaust memoir, since it functions as a vital historical witness.
December 17, 2023
We start this book in a unit for school, so I wanted to hear the rest of her story. She talks about her journey as a Jewish child during the Holocaust… how they move to Amsterdam, go to a work camp and then end up in a concentration camp. She talks about so much horrifying details that just reiterate the torture that she and millions of others endured. I listened to it, and I wonder if I would have had more emotional reactions if I would have read it. I wish there was a bit more historical context, but I 100% understand why it would have been difficult to write about. A beautiful memoir of a horrifying survival story.
April 25, 2019
I started reading this after dinner, and couldn't put it down. I read straight through until I finished it. I don't remember the last time I was so thoroughly immersed in a book, that I forgot where I was, and that I had to get up early for work the next day. This author's story was engagingly personal and honest, told as an adult looking back from the perspective of herself as a child, then teenager, growing up and surviving under the Nazi regime. The book emphasizes the point that survival depended on a combination of perseverance and luck. Highly recommended.
July 8, 2020
Well-written and easy to read, Irene Butter's story of her family's experiences during Nazism in Germany is another revelation of the horrors man can perpetrate on their fellow man and the story of a family that managed to stay together. Reni as she was called was just a girl when her family was sent to a work camp and then to Bergen-Belsen. We all should read these stories so we don't forget and this never happens again.
Although it is Irene's memoir it is narrative non-fiction that helps bring a style of story telling assessable to every reader.
Although it is Irene's memoir it is narrative non-fiction that helps bring a style of story telling assessable to every reader.
June 14, 2024
Incredible and inspiring account. I admire Irene Butter greatly for her courage in speaking up about her experience. It is crucial that younger generations continue to learn about and remember the Holocaust, and this author gives a voice to the experience of a young girl going through a very dark reality. Through her honest and emotion-packed storytelling, she allows us who have never experienced such darkness to relate to young Reni in her confusion, helplessness, and hope and to understand her on a deeper level.
April 18, 2018
This intimate story of the Holocaust by a writer who witnessed the worst man can do to man is nevertheless life-affirming. Irene Butter was a girl on the verge of womanhood when her beloved family began the nightmare journey first into exile then to Hitler's camps. Her eye was never dimmed to what she saw around her and spirit was never crushed, and her story is worth reading and sharing widely.
June 21, 2018
A triumph of the spirit, this is book is destined to be a must-read. Heartbreaking and hopeful, Irene’s story is powerful and unforgettable. The small details, like her pink blanket, bring each memory to life. Highly recommend.
(Full disclosure, I had the privilege to meet Irene Butter in person, and count her coauthors among my friends, but that did not influence my review of this amazing book.)
(Full disclosure, I had the privilege to meet Irene Butter in person, and count her coauthors among my friends, but that did not influence my review of this amazing book.)
April 27, 2019
A Must Read
This remarkable story of courage, strength, and dedication to her family during the worst of times is a testament to the human spirit. Everyone needs to read the horrific of hatred and unjustified cruelty to as group of innocent people. The author, just a child, saw the worst of humankind and instead of letting it leave her bitter and broken, she committed herself to goodness. We must all commit to never allowing history to repeat itself and let evil get its way.
This remarkable story of courage, strength, and dedication to her family during the worst of times is a testament to the human spirit. Everyone needs to read the horrific of hatred and unjustified cruelty to as group of innocent people. The author, just a child, saw the worst of humankind and instead of letting it leave her bitter and broken, she committed herself to goodness. We must all commit to never allowing history to repeat itself and let evil get its way.
July 31, 2019
Butter was a child when her family tried to escape the Nazis in pre-war Germany, occupied Amsterdam, and Bergen-Belson. She was Anne Frank's neighbor in Amsterdam before her family was taken to a concentration camp. It was decades before Butter told her story outside a close circle of family and friends. Her memoir is a testimony to the Holocaust and an affirmation of survival, beautifully written and suitable for young adults.
April 16, 2023
The tragic, awful, horrible Holocaust. I learned so much from this true story written by Irene Butter - her childhood, perseverance, family and horrible concentration camps. The author at no point portrays feeling sorry for herself or the terrible situation. She is brutally honest in all aspects of relaying events in this memoir and, as a reader, I thank her for the courage to write this. #Holocaust
April 30, 2019
In a few days it will be International Remembrance Day in the Jewish calendar. In this light, we owe it to ourselves to read as many memoirs we can that tell about the people and their experiences during the Holocaust. An amazing life told by an Ann Arborite - thank you for telling us your story. Never forget.
June 9, 2018
This is one of the most compelling books I have every read. I knew how it would end but I had to keep reading to see how Irene survived Begen-Belsen. That she did so while helping others is truly astonishing and inspiring.
March 6, 2019
Irene’s story of survival was riveting from start to finish. What struck me most was was the slow normalization of evil when the Nazis took power, and the miracles that allowed Irene and her family to stay together throughout the war.
June 21, 2019
Thanks to a wise friend, I went to see Irene Butter speak earlier this year when she visited Seattle. Covering time in Germany, the Netherlands, a work camp, death camp, and refugee camp, this was a fascinating and devastating look at history.
March 1, 2020
A book about struggle, family love and hope. All these true stories about the Holocaust are haunting reminders of human atrocities...we are going to hear this author speak soon...glad I had the opportunity to read her book first
March 25, 2021
A remarkable tale of survival, told through a child's eyes. Butter is still alive and lives in Ann Arbor where she is one of the founders of a group of 12 women who meet routinely - six Palestinians and six Jews.
May 28, 2018
One of the better survivor testimonies I have read. I’m looking forward to her speaking next week.
August 16, 2018
Our friend Irene has finally produced a book about her life. What an amazing woman she is and this is her story.
September 10, 2018
Telling story of the author's time in concentration camps told from the perspective of when she was 14 yo. Sobering.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews