Helga Noveck was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1935, as the shadow of Nazi persecution loomed over Europe. In 1942, her family received orders to report for deportation to Poland—a near-certain death sentence. Determined to save his family, Helga’s father found a smuggler who helped them escape through Luxembourg and into Belgium, where they sought refuge.

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Their hope for safety was short-lived. Belgium soon became just as dangerous for Jews as Germany, forcing Helga and her family into hiding. At just seven years old, she was separated from her parents and hidden in a church for several months. In a world of uncertainty and fear, acts of resistance and kindness—like an underground contact providing food stamps—helped ensure her survival.

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Miraculously, Helga and her family reunited in Brussels after the war. They remained there until the early 1950s before immigrating to New York, where they rebuilt their lives.

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Helga’s story is one of resilience, survival, and the strength of the human spirit. Through her testimony, she reminds us that history is not as distant as we may think—and that it is our duty to remember, educate, and stand against hatred in all its forms.

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“God was good to us.” – Helga Noveck