This book was born when we four-childhood friends from our school days-realized that each of us had different and unique memories of growing up in pre-Holocaust Berlin. We wanted to share these stories not only with our families and friends, but with others. In so doing, we honor our parents and acknowledge the distinctive ways in which they coped with overwhelming circumstances. Their efforts and their courage made it possible for us to survive. We also remember our sometimes miraculous escapes, our subsequent adventures, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture and a foreign language. We even discovered occasional joy in the process. We cherish our lasting friendship and look forward to what the future still has to offer. LE CHAYIM ! TO LIFE !