Author

Author's Note

I happened to have the radio on one afternoon when I heard Jaap Penraat being interviewed about his wartime activities. Although Jaap and I had been friends for over twelve years, I had never heard a word about his heroic past. When I called him the next morning to inquire about his story he seemed surprised and honored that I would even take an interest in it.

But I am far from alone in recognizing the significance of his work. In 1974 the Dutch government awarded him with a war pension, and in 1981 honored him again with the Verzetsherdenkingkruis, the Cross of Resistance. On June 11, 1998, the Israeli Consulate in New York awarded him the medal of the Righteous Among the Nations.

On the medal is inscribed an ancient Jewish proverb:

"He who saves a single human life saves the entire universe."

Hudson Talbott

Jaap Penraat now lives in New York. He and Hudson are currently giving joint lectures about Jaap's experiences as a Holocaust rescuer, and the making of this book. If you are interested in having them speak to your organization or school please contact Hudson at hudsontal@aol.com