TEACHING TRUNK: THE CHILDREN OF WILLESDEN LANE:
BEYOND THE KINDERTRANSPORT: A MEMOIR OF MUSIC, LOVE, AND SURVIVAL

Author: Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen

Based on the true story of her mother, Mona Golabek describes the inspirational story of Lisa Jura’s escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to England on the famed Kindertransport.

Jewish musical prodigy Lisa Jura has a wonderful life in Vienna. But when the Nazis start closing in on the city, life changes irreversibly. Although he has three daughters, Lisa’s father is only able to secure one berth on the Kindertransport. The family decides to send Lisa to London so that she may pursue her dreams of a career as a concert pianist. Separated from her beloved family, Lisa bravely endures the trip and a disastrous posting outside London before finding her way to the Willesden Lane Orphanage.

Additional Classroom Resources:

Explore these curated activities to support teaching of The Children of Willesden Lane books, the Kindertransport and other related themes.

The Willesden Project– A host of interactive activities provided by The Shoah Foundation

Teacher’s Resource Guide

Memories of the Kindertransport

The Kindertransport 1938-40 – Background reading.