Challenging Faith A Young Girl's Journey to Freedom

Challenging Faith is a true story of significance that introduces the Simon family of Cloppenburg, Germany to the world. They were a Jewish family living in peace and harmony amongst their predominantly Christian community when Hitler came to power in the 1930's. His ascension to the head of the German government was lethal for the Jewish populace along with so many other citizens of a once civilized society.

Karl Simon, the father, is arrested and imprisoned on Kristallnacht, his loving family is torn apart to save as many of his four daughters as possible. Two of the daughters, Ruth and Hilde, are sent to England under the auspices of the Kindertransport, and the rest of the family will make more sacrifices. Among their struggle for survival and asylum they will board a boat bound for Cuba sanctioned by Hitler. However, they and their fellow refugees on the ship are deceived and used as pawns in an ugly political game of cat and mice--and, tragically, some of them are inextricably trapped.

Take your time falling in love with the Simons. Each member is precious and you will grow to respect them and their devotion to each other and their faith. It is a story of tragedy and triumph both heartwarming and heartbreaking. But this story is not just about the war and the Holocaust, it's much more. It explains how those Simons that survive build their lives back from anguish to strength, from despair through courage to triumph and celebration. Challenging Faith will touch you and make you look at today's society in a different way--perhaps.

This may even be considered a cautionary tale of what could become of our world if we are not careful to monitor those in power and to question their ethics and motivations. In today's society there is so much divisiveness and finger pointing. The whole world is in jeopardy and we as law abiding citizens must determine who we want to lead us with justice and equal rights. We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren and each other to leave our planet in as best shape as possible. Become an educated citizen of your community and speak up when it is called for.

Kinder is the German world for children--it rhymes with tinder. Kinder is the English word for caring, concerned and compassionate toward others--human or animal. If the world had only been kinder--instead of evil prevailing--there may not have ever been a need for a Kindertransport.

Susan Heinemann Berman grew up in the outskirts of Boston. She lives with her husband in the suburbs of Atlanta now. She and Steve have lived in many places throughout their 50 plus years of marriage including New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio and Tennessee. The couple have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law and a beautiful grandson.

Susan went back to school and graduated with a marketing degree from Kennesaw State University in 2004, and has many years of experience in journalism, sales and charitable organizations. Challenging Faith is her first book. It is written with love and compassion for her family and the Jewish heritage her parents imparted to her. Both her parents were Holocaust survivors.

Thankfully, her mother, Ruth, lives close by—she is 97 1/2. Susan enjoys spending time with her mother, plays mahjong and works out. This book has been a labor of love and has taken her three years to bring to fruition with the enthusiasm and support of many friends and family.