To Whom it may Concern:
My name is Dr. Edith R. Levy, Holocaust survivor and retired West Virginia University professor. I established the West Virginia Holocaust Education Foundation in 1995 and was instrumental in obtaining a governmental commission from then West Virginia Governor Underwood in 1998. I am a published author on matters concerning the Holocaust.
My textbook “The Holocaust in Perspective” has been acclaimed by many and is at present being translated into Japanese to be used in classrooms in that country.
I met Deb Bowen at a teacher’s workshop at West Virginia University in 2009 and was immediately impressed by her commitment to Holocaust education with the aim of creating a better world for our children.
Author Deb Bowen is a bridge builder. Almost ten years ago, this Christian wife and mother befriended three Jewish Holocaust survivors named Esther. She introduced their stories in local schools, hoping to document them for the next generation. So it began, young authors writing and illustrating children’s books for a book series now known as A Book by Me.
Not quite ten years later, there are over 60 children’s books in the Holocaust series, all written and illustrated by children for children. Most of the young authors are American but Bowen’s work with International exchange students has allowed her to connect with young authors and/or illustrators from all around the world.
A Walk with Esther will take you on a historical journey of faith, courage and survival along with those known as the greatest generation. By commissioning young authors to tell the survivors’ stories, she is building important bridges between the two generations. Along with her students, she has met dozens of Jewish survivors, Righteous Gentiles (non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews), real life heroes from World War II, friends of Anne Frank and more.
Deb Bowen’s work with young authors is important for our generation, and the next. Without her, some stories may have gotten lost. Her work is geared towards realization and understanding, hence, prevention. I fully believe in the importance of her work for generations to come.
Dr. Edith Rechter Levy
Holocaust Survivor, Author and Scholar