A message to the children: for Janusz Korczak

Poem by Miriam Halahmy. Set to music by Helen Bonney. Soundtrack performed by Jack Cooke.

Latest tracks by Miriam Halahmy

Janusz Korczak, 1878 -1942, doctor, author and Director of the Orphanage, Warsaw Ghetto. In 1942 the Nazis marched all of the 200 orphans and staff to the station and deported them to Treblinka death camp where everyone perished. I visited the present day orphanage in 2004 on a visit through Poland and Lithuania with my synagogue. I wrote the poem on the coach to Treblinka. In 2011 Helen Bonney, author and composer, read the poem and decided to set it to music. It is performed by her son, Jack Cooke, a professional musician. The poem and the soundtrack are a tribute to Korczak and all of his staff and the children.

A message to the children  

 

I cannot give you God

or a happy life

I cannot keep the truth from your gaze

but even as the pavements

weep beneath your feet

I can give you a longing for life

 

I can give you rhymes

and the comfort of my hand

I can give you pride

in the neat parting of your hair

before the final moment

when we take up our bags

I can give you courage to walk on.

 

Don’t ask me why tonight

just this once

no questions ‘til tomorrow

and when the morning comes

don’t look into the soldiers’ eyes

stare straight ahead

keep the flagpole steady

and we will reach the other side together.

 

© Miriam Halahmy


 

Helen Bonney presented me with this beautiful poster of my poem at the SCBWI Conference 2011. Helen Bonney presented me with this beautiful poster of my poem at the SCBWI Conference 2011.
Orphanage, Warsaw ghetto, present day Orphanage, Warsaw ghetto, present day
Memorial, Warsaw. Memorial, Warsaw.
Reconstructed ghetto wall Reconstructed ghetto wall
Jeffrey Segal reading an extract from Korczak's diary in the orphanage grounds. Jeffrey Segal reading an extract from Korczak's diary in the orphanage grounds.
Treblinka death camp. The final destination. Treblinka death camp. The final destination.

Comments from young people about HIDDEN.

I really enjoyed your book, it made me think about other people in other countries more. Can't wait to read ILLEGAL.

Holly Parkes.

I very much enjoyed Hidden  and  if I was you I would sign it for every book in every school so they can remember who wrote the book and how amazing that person  is at writing such an amazing book. I found it so interesting.This is a book review for Hidden.
Lucy Crawford. Portsmouth.

With Lucy at Ports Lit Quiz With Lucy at Ports Lit Quiz

I very much enjoyed Hidden and it made me think about asylum seekers and refugees. Alix and Samir inspired me very much!

Miriam Summerfield, 13 yrs.

I liked this book a lot as it has a very original subject which I hardly knew about. I would recommend it to any friend.

Jess Rodnight, 12 yrs.

Amazing book, I would recommend it to everyone. A real page turner. Go and buy it now. 

Jad Faki, 13 yrs

Hidden addresses one of the most current debates in the UK today - immigration and asylum seekers. Miriam addresses this with flare and to top it all its based on our home town - Hayling Island. Miriam Halahmy is truly a magnificent author. She makes you think and think.

Phoebe Ridgway, 14 yrs.

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Jordan Shortman,

15 yrs.

Interview for the Hayling Islander.

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Ellie, 14 years.

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Jesse, 14 years

No Jesse, this is not a true story, but there are many true bits to it, as told to me by asylum seekers. I am glad you enjoyed the book.

Miriam Halahmy