Additional information
by The Fed (Author)
Elena Grosskopf was born in June 1924 and grew up in Merano on the Austrian-Italian border. Following a happy childhood in the Italian Tyrol and later on in Milan, the rise of antisemitism in Mussolini's regime in the late 1930s caused Elena's parents to arrange for her to escape to England with her brother Josie. Elena recounts their experiences of life with foster families and in hostels in Manchester, and as evacuees in Blackpool.
After the war, Elena married Leo. They settled in Manchester and had three children, regularly travelling to Italy to spend time with Elena's parents who had miraculously survived the war and found one another again there. Elena's book is part of the My Voice book collection, a stand-alone project of The Fed, the leading Jewish social care charity in Manchester, dedicated to preserving the life stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution who settled in the UK. The oral history, which is recorded and transcribed, captures their entire lives from before, during and after the war years. The books are written in the words of the survivor so that future generations can always hear their voice. The My Voice book collection is a valuable resource for Holocaust awareness and education.Back Jacket
The My Voice Project is a unique initiative by The Fed, Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. The My Voice Project empowers Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution who settled in the UK to share their entire life stories including experiences before, during and after the war years. This project involves a bespoke methodological approach, producing books that preserve their unique voices. The My Voice Project ensures firsthand accounts are remembered and valued for future generations, highlighting the critical role of individual perspectives in ensuring a deeper historical understanding.
Elena Grosskopf grew up in Merano on the Austrian-Italian border. This book is a record of her life story.Following a happy childhood in the Italian Tyrol and later on in Milan, the rise of antisemitism in Mussolini's regime in the late 1930s caused Elena's parents to arrange for her to escape to England with her brother Josie, where they experienced life with foster families and in hostels in Manchester, and as evacuees in Blackpool. After the war, Elena married Leo. They settled in Manchester and had three children, regularly travelling to Italy to spend time with Elena's parents who had miraculously survived the war and found one another again there. Elena's book is part of the My Voice book collection.
Author Biography
The Fed is Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. In June of 2021, The Fed were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for the My Voice Project, the highest possible accolade for a voluntary sector group.
