The Story
Hope in Hiding tells the incredible story of Ike and Bertie Cohen who were strolling through their neighborhood park with their baby boy when a friend approached, warning them,
"You can't go home.”
The Nazis were waiting to arrest them, at their house. From that moment, their lives became unimaginable. Having to give up their son to save him, this couple made the profound decision to hide.
This striking story, set in Rotterdam, will be told as a short silent film composed of archival footage and puppetry. An accompanying documentary will expose the audience to the couple’s harrowing dilemmas, intense emotions and amazing strength, as they coped, minute-by-excruciating-minute, hiding “behind the scenes.”
Your Role
Searching For Identity has been given exclusive rights to this remarkable story.
Now we invite you to join us on this journey to produce this incredible film project.
In the News
The Exhibit
The Exhibit Video
Dr. Rebecca JW Jefferson
Curator, Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica
UF George A. Libraries
“Animating Hope: Izaak and Bertie Cohen's Puppet Theater shares a story of bravery, resilience, and courage in the face of horrific circumstances. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Izaak (Ike) and Bertha (Bertie) Cohen hid in Rotterdam. Concealed in the upstairs apartment of Nico Dane and Gien Dane-Verkouter, the couple were often forced to hide in a narrow closet behind a staircase. They spent over two years in hiding under these dangerous conditions – often needing to hide from Gien’s own children who lived in the house alongside them without knowledge of the Cohens.
In this confined space, the Cohens created a puppet theater. Ike carved the wooden hand puppets while Bertie sewed costumes and painted the figures’ faces. The puppets were created using materials like firewood and fabric scraps, oftentimes from their already slim rations. Inspired by classic fairy tales, they used the puppets to stage clandestine performances for local children while their identities remained a secret, and their presence was obscured. These performances transformed an environment of fear into one of hope. Now their story is being shared by Yvonne and Tommy Cohen to continue the legacy of Izaak and Bertie’s bravery.”
- UF George A. Smathers Libraries | Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica