Maud Dahme, a Holocaust survivor and “Hidden Child” during World War II visited the fifth and sixth grades on March 30.

The students, studying an anti-bias unit in religion class, heard Mrs. Dahme's experiences as a Dutch Jewish child being separated from her parents at age six and going into hiding for three years during the war.

"At a time when bullying has become part of our nation’s consciousness and conversation, we will learn from Mrs. Dahme’s account about the difference which is made when people stand up for one another," Dr. Michele Dahl, Lower School religion teacher said.

Mrs. Dahme was kept safe from capture by several brave families who hid her and her younger sister from the German Nazis during World War II.

Nina Maurizi '18 said she thought about how her own 6-year-old brother would handle being separated from their parents and going into hiding at such a young age.

"It would be hard to move from family to family," she said. "It's hard to take in what that would be like."

Nina also said she has a greater appreciation for the material things she has in her own life after hearing how Mrs. Dahme had to play with straw and even ammunition shells that fell from the sky.

Mrs. Dahme is the past president of the NJ State Board of Education and is nationally and internationally recognized for her humanitarian work.

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is an independent Catholic school enrolling boys and girls in kindergarten through grade six; and young women only in grades seven through 12.  For more information about Oak Knoll, please visit www.oakknoll.org or call 908-522-8109.