WWII survivor SAVED BY A BACKPACK
New Idea|July 17, 2023
A REMARKABLE STORY IS BEING SHARED FOR THE FIRST TIME
Emma Levett
WWII survivor SAVED BY A BACKPACK

Joasia Kirsten grew up feeling like she didn’t belong. She had violent nightmares and remembered a place she was hidden as a child, but her parents didn’t want to talk about it.

A Polish Jew, Joasia and her family arrived in Melbourne as refugees after World War II.

They had been through some unthinkably traumatic experiences, and, as a result, Joasia’s life became shrouded in secrets, created in the mistaken belief they’d protect her. It was only when Joasia was in her thirties that she finally discovered the truth.

Joasia’s daughter, Karen Kirsten, tells New Idea her mother received a letter from Canada from a man who said he was her father.

“It explained [Joasia] had been smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto as a baby in a backpack and then cared for by her mother’s sister,” Karen reveals.

Joasia’s biological mother, Irena, died during the war, and the parents Joasia had grown up with, Alicja and Mietek, were in fact her maternal aunt and uncle.

Denne historien er fra July 17, 2023-utgaven av New Idea.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 17, 2023-utgaven av New Idea.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA NEW IDEASe alt
Kate Ritchie's CAR CRASH CHAOS!
New Idea

Kate Ritchie's CAR CRASH CHAOS!

HER SHOCK BINGLE CAUSES DRAMA ON A SYDNEY STREET

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Nicole & Dickie WE'LL BE FRIENDS FOR ANOTHER 41 YEARS!
New Idea

Nicole & Dickie WE'LL BE FRIENDS FOR ANOTHER 41 YEARS!

INSIDE THE AUSSIE PAIR'S SECRET RELATIONSHIP

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
BUB NO.2 FOR SAM FROST
New Idea

BUB NO.2 FOR SAM FROST

Sam Frost and her fiancé, Jordie Hansen, have confirmed they are expecting their second child.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
DINE-IN Thai
New Idea

DINE-IN Thai

TREAT YOUR GUESTS TO THE FRAGRANT FLAVOURS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

time-read
2 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Ronan Keating: IN OZ FOR VOICE TALKS!
New Idea

Ronan Keating: IN OZ FOR VOICE TALKS!

Ronan Keating is not wasting a second of being back in Australia. The Irish singer was spotted enjoying a day at Bondi Beach in Sydney with his family, before jetting to Victoria with his wife, Storm, for last week's Melbourne Cup.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Margot's baby joy 'HE'S A LITTLE PRINCE'
New Idea

Margot's baby joy 'HE'S A LITTLE PRINCE'

This Barbie is now a mum! Margot Robbie and husband Tom Ackerley have officially welcomed their first child together – a bouncing boy.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Actress Rebecca BREEDS A BROOD!
New Idea

Actress Rebecca BREEDS A BROOD!

When it rains it pours! Married couple and former Home and Away co-stars Rebecca Breeds and Luke Mitchell are also pregnant!

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Jessica Simpson CELEBRATES SOBER MILESTONE
New Idea

Jessica Simpson CELEBRATES SOBER MILESTONE

Jessica Simpson has marked seven years of sobriety with a heartfelt social media post.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
KATIE REACHES OUT TO SICK JAMES
New Idea

KATIE REACHES OUT TO SICK JAMES

Katie Holmes has told her former Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek she is 'here for him' following the news he has bowel cancer.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Maggie Beer 'THIS WON'T BEAT US'
New Idea

Maggie Beer 'THIS WON'T BEAT US'

She's still recovering after a terrifying fall that landed her in hospital, and now Maggie Beer is dealing with another major blow.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024