Debbie Update:

Leading up to Remembrance Day 2008, more than 400 young teens in Ottawa participated in the children’s’ segment of Ottawa’s Holocaust Education Programme 2008, provided by The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands Embassy wanted to actively participate in the Holocaust Education Programme 2008 with a project that would teach children a little bit more about the Holocaust and specifically about the courage of people to fight for justice and freedom. The Embassy approached Lisa Krug, Jewish Federation staff member of the Holocaust Education Committee of Ottawa, with a proposal for Dutch programming during the Ottawa Holocaust Education Programme 2008. Lisa and the committee endorsed the proposal and included it in the official program for 2008 aimed at teens.

The Embassy’s programming of the segment for teens was built around the presence of Canadian author Debbie Spring, well known for her children’s book The Righteous Smuggler. Debbie Spring has a special relationship with The Netherlands and in the past has travelled to Holland to research the fate of Dutch Jews including Anne Frank.

She discussed her book in the presence of young teens at various branches of the Ottawa Public Library and was introduced by Erik Boer, Deputy Head of Mission of the Netherlands Embassy. Through book readings, presentations and intimate discussions, the participating school children learned about the Holocaust and now understand a bit more of the value of true friendship.

As well, the Ottawa Holocaust Education Committee organized a book signing event at Chapters, meant for children and their parents who wanted to meet the author in person and talk to representatives of the Netherlands Embassy.

More information? Call Anna Rijk at the Netherlands Embassy at: 613 237 5031 x 231 or email: anna.rijk@minbuza.nl ——

And read below:

The Dutch Connection

The story of Debbie Spring’s The Righteous Smuggler takes place in The Netherlands during World War II. When Hendrik, the young son of a fisherman in Amsterdam, notices that his Jewish friends are being barred from school and ostracized by their classmates, he is determined to stand by them. His parents always told him to fight injustice, so when Hendrik realizes what Hitler’s policies ultimately mean for his Jewish friends and their families, he hatches a daring plan to help smuggle them out of the country by boat.

Bonds of friendship

The Righteous Smuggler, part of Second Story Press’ award-winning Holocaust Remembrance Series, came to the attention of the Netherlands Embassy when looking for an idea to become involved in Ottawa’s Holocaust Program 2008.

Author Debbie Spring was approached and reacted with great enthusiasm to the proposal that she travel to Ottawa to participate in this important event. The Ottawa Public Library (Cumberland, Alta Vista and Nepean Centrepointe branches) were equally eager to be a partner.

‘Her powerful multi media presentation teaches young readers the value of compassion and how important it is to stick to one’s convictions — even in the face of unthinkable evil’ explains Ambassador Geerts. ‘But Ms. Spring will also touch upon the wartime history of The Netherlands, the role of Canadian soldiers in the liberation of Holland and the bonds of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands’.

Geared towards children

The Netherlands Embassy found a wonderful partner in the Ottawa Public Library. ‘One of our goals is to get children reading,’ says Catherine Seaman, Coordinator of Children and Teen Services. She stresses the importance of books in today’s digital world. Books will bring children back to the basics of retrieving a story. Debbie Spring’s The Righteous Smuggler sends a strong message; a message that will become clear through passionate dialogue and spirited discussion with one’s peers. Only then will the message and true value of the book be understood.

Book signing

The book signing was organized at the Chapters at Pinecrest Shopping Mall. Chapters was kind enough to host this event, which included co-signing of Debbie Spring’s book by one of the embassy’s officials. Debbie was very pleased to be able to get in touch with local teens to talk about this difficult period in modern history and about issues connected with the Holocaust.

‘The question & answer periods after the presentations are usually my favorite part of the whole show, to see the kids become engaged’ says Debbie. ’I am always surprised by the children’s remarks and observations. One of the recent comments at a book signing of ‘The Righteous Smuggler’ actually came from a First Nation’s boy around age thirteen, who asked, “What is wrong with the Jews anyway?” Moments I will never forget are when children are shocked to hear how the Nazis looked at family trees to determine whether or not to label people Jewish and therefore condemn them to death’.

Debbie Spring is looking back to a successful trip to Ottawa and meeting more than 400 children. She felt honored to work with The Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and would be delighted to participate in future projects.

———————

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is proud to participate in this year’s Holocaust Education Program, held in the capital from October 26th to November 23rd, 2008. The Embassy’s involvement is built around the presence of Canadian author Debbie Spring, well known for her children’s book The Righteous Smuggler. Debbie has a special relationship with the Netherlands.

On November 5 & 6, Debbie will discuss her book in the presence of young teens at various branches of Ottawa Public Library. Through book readings, presentations and intimate discussions, it is the Embassy’s hope that these kids will learn about the Holocaust and understand a bit more of the value of true friendship and courage.

Ambassador Wim Geerts of the Netherlands signs copies of Debbie Spring’s The Righteous Smuggler in the presence of Catherine Seaman, Coordinator of Children and Teen Services for the Ottawa Public Library. The copies will be donated to the Library for use at Debbie’s presentations and book readings during the Ottawa Holocaust Program 2008

Debbie Spring’s Press release:

Ottawa Holocaust Program 2008

Netherlands Embassy provides powerful programming for children

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is proud to participate in this year’s Holocaust Education Program, held in the capital from October 26th to November 23rd, 2008.

The Embassy’s involvement is built around the presence of Canadian author Debbie Spring, well known for her children’s book The Righteous Smuggler. Debbie Spring has a special relationship with the Netherlands. Her travels to Holland included research on the fate of Dutch Jews including Anne Frank.

On November 5 & 6, Debbie will discuss her book in the presence of young teens at various branches of Ottawa Public Library. Through book readings, presentations and intimate discussions, it is the Embassy’s hope that these kids will learn about the Holocaust and understand a bit more of the value of true friendship and courage.

The Netherlands Embassy approached the Holocaust Committee of Ottawa, which endorsed the plan and included it in the official program for 2008 aimed at teens. Lisa Krug, Jewish Federation staff member for this committee, enthusiastically supported our endeavour.

The Dutch Connection

The story of Debbie Spring’s The Righteous Smuggler takes place in the Netherlands during World War II. When Hendrik, the young son of a fisherman in Amsterdam, notices that his Jewish friends are being barred from school and ostracized by their other classmates, he is determined to stand by them. His parents have always told him to fight injustice. So when Hendrik realizes what Hitler’s policies ultimately mean for his Jewish friends and their families, he hatches a daring plan to help smuggle them out of the country by boat.

Bonds of friendship

The Righteous Smuggler, part of Second Story Press’ award-winning Holocaust Remembrance Series came to the attention of the Netherlands Embassy when looking for an idea to become involved in Ottawa’s Holocaust Program for 2008.

Author Debbie Spring was approached and reacted with great enthusiasm to the proposal that she travel to Ottawa to participate in this important event. The Ottawa Public Library (Cumberland, Alta Vista and Nepean Centrepointe branches) were equally enthusiastically to be a partner in these events.

‘Her powerful multi media presentation teaches young readers the value of compassion and how important it is to stick to one’s convictions — even in the face of unthinkable evil’ explains Ambassador Geerts. ‘But Ms. Spring will also touch upon the wartime history of the Netherlands, the role of Canadian soldiers in the liberation of Holland and the bonds of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands’.

Geared towards children

The Netherlands Embassy found a wonderful partner in the Ottawa Public Library. ‘One of our goals is to get children reading,’ says Catherine Seaman, Coordinator of Children and Teen Services. She stresses the importance of books in today’s digital world. Books will bring children back to the basics of retrieving a story. Debbie Spring’s The Righteous Smuggler sends a strong message; a message that will become clear through passionate dialogue and spirited discussion with one’s peers. Only then will the message and true value of the book be understood.

Book signing

The book signing will occur on Wednesday November 5th from 7 – 8.30 pm at Chapters at Pincecrest Shopping Mall, 2753 Iris Street. Chapters is kind enough to host this event, which includes co-signing of Debbie Spring’s book by one of the embassy’s officials. Debbie feels it is great to be able to get in touch with the local kids to talk about this difficult period in modern history and to talk about issues connected to the Holocaust.

‘The question & answer periods after the presentations are usually my favourite part of the whole show, to see the kids become engaged’ says Debbie. ’I am always surprised by the children’s remarks and observations. One of the recent comments at a book signing of ‘The Righteous Smuggler’ actually came from a First Nation’s boy around age thirteen, who asked, “What is wrong with the Jews anyway?” Moments I will never forget are when children were shocked when they heard how the Nazis looked at family trees to determine whether or not people were labelled Jewish and therefore condemned them to death’.

Debbie Spring is looking forward to traveling to Ottawa and meeting more than 250 children. She feels honoured to work with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Schedule of the Book signing & Library

Readings:

Wednesday, November 5 @ 10:30 AM

Cumberland Branch Library

1599 Tenth Line (613) 580-2954

Wednesday, November 5 @ 1:30 PM

Alta Vista Branch

2516 Alta Vista Dr. (613) 737 – 2837

Wednesday, November 5 @ 7-8.30 PM

Pinecrest Shopping Mall, Chapters

2735 Iris Str. (613) 596 – 3003

Thursday, November 6 @ 10:30 AM

Nepean Centrepointe Branch

101 Centrepointe Dr. (613) 580 – 2710

Thursday November 6 @ 1:30P.M.

Main Branch Library

120 Metcalfe Str. (613) 580 – 2424 x 32119