Love Letters From Concentration Camps Inspire Hope

When Jack and Katharina Polak fell in love during the Holocaust, they couldn't hold hands or share a meal. Instead, they risked their lives writing secret love letters between concentration camps.

Now their son Fred is bringing their story of resilience to New Jersey communities. On April 15, he'll speak at Nettingham Middle School in Scotch Plains for a special Holocaust Remembrance Day event starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Dutch couple's relationship blossomed in the most unlikely place imaginable. While imprisoned in separate Nazi camps during World War II, they found a way to connect through smuggled notes. Their bond became their lifeline.

Their love story later became "Steal a Pencil for Me," an award-winning documentary that reminds viewers how hope can survive even genocide. The title refers to the simple act that made their letters possible.

Both Jack and Katharina survived the camps, though many family members didn't. After the war ended, they married and rebuilt their lives in the Netherlands before moving to the United States in 1951.

Fred Polak grew up hearing his parents' stories and understanding a profound truth: his very existence is a miracle. Every day he remembers that hatred tried to erase his family but love proved stronger.

Why This Inspires

Fred isn't just preserving family history. He's continuing his father's mission to teach the world about the dangers of hatred, discrimination, and staying silent when others suffer.

His presentations challenge audiences to speak up against injustice wherever they see it. He asks people to actively build inclusive communities rather than passively watching division grow.

The April 15 event brings together Scotch Plains, Fanwood Public Schools, Fanwood Memorial Library, Kean University's Holocaust Resource Center, and Westfield Public Schools. Teen volunteers from all three communities will help facilitate the evening.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for guests to view a Holocaust timeline and student artwork inspired by resistance stories. The collaboration shows how communities can unite around shared values of remembrance and education.

Registration is available online, and all community members are welcome to attend this free event. From unimaginable darkness, the Polak family's story shines a light on love's power to overcome hatred.