Welcome: This site is both a tribute to my mother and an avenue for information as to how her memory lives on through the sharing of her story with various groups throughout the country.
My moms passion was to reach others with the message that "we are all part of one human family" and that we certainly are our brother's keeper. No where is this message more important than with school age children. Her voice is still being heard! "Stand up against hate in all forms - be willing to step up - speak out and become actively involved in showing love, compassion and human decency to all." Jeannie Smith
Upcoming Events (if you're interested in attending any of these events please contact me)
2015
Jan. 14th: Charlotte, North Carolina. Lion of Judah Luncheon
Jan. 15th: Charlotte Latin School, NC. 8th grade assembly
Jan 15th: Providence Day School Students, NC. School assembly
Jan 15th: Women's Philanthropy Event. NC. Jewish Community Center
March 10th - 11th: Rockland Community College, New York
April. 14th- 15th: Seattle, WA. Holocaust Remembrance Day Community Event
April. 18th - 21st: Philadelphia PA. Annual Yom Ha'Shoah Ceremony Event
April 30th: Federation Women's Spring luncheon, Princeton, New Jersey
May 13th: Women' Fellowship Luncheon, Longview, WA. community Church
July 27th: Virginia Beach, Virginia. Holocaust Conference
2014
January 27th: University of Denver: Never Again
Feb. 11-13: Lincoln, England: Irena's Vow
Feb. 19-20: York, England: Irena's Vow
March 2nd: Tucson, AZ. Jewish Federation breakfast
March 3rd: Tucson Hebrew Academy
March 11th: Marian High School, South Bend, Indiana
March 12th: Saint Joseph's High School, South Bend, Indiana
March 13th: Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana
March 13th: University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana
March 14th: Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana
April 3rd: Teach One to Lead One, Vancouver, WA
April 10th: Lower Columbia Genealogy Society. Longview, WA
April 16th: Monmouth, Western Oregon University
April 17th: Woodland, WA. High School
April 22nd -24th: Garfield and Palouse, WA. Middle and High School, community event
April 27th: Chicago, IL. UGF Brunch, Beth Shalom Congreation
May 7th: Philadelphia, PA. Jewish Federation Event
May 8th: Rockland, NY, Jewish Federation Event
May 15th: Toronto, Canada. Jewish Federation Women's Installment Event
May 20th -22nd: Houston Texas - Anti Defamation League
June 16th: Montreal, Canada Federation - Top Women Donors
June 19th: Dayton, Ohio. Jewish Federation Dinner Event
Sept. 3rd: Darby, Montana High School
Sept. 13th: Greensboro, NC. Federation Event
Sept. 18th: Springfield, Ill, Top Donors Event
Oct. 1: Cleveland, Ohio Lion of Judah Dinner
Oct. 5th: Cherry Hill, NJ. Community March of Remembrance
Oct. 6th: Egg Harbor Township High School, New Jersey
Oct. 7th: College of St. Elizabeth, New Jersey
Oct. 8th: Bridgeton High School, New Jersey
Oct. 8th: Cumberland County College
Oct. 15-18: Beaumont, Texas - Love Thy Neighbor Event
Oct. 27th: Wyckoff NJ. Eisenhower Middle School
Oct. 30th: Albany, NY. Fundraising Event, Jewish Federation
Nov. 3rd: South Palm Beach Jewish Federation
Nov. 4th - 9th: Poplar Ridge, Southern Cayuaga High School - Irena's Vow presentations
Nov. 14th: Rochester, WA. Community Event, Bookstore
Nov. 18th: Longview, WA. Retired Educators
2013
Jan. 12th: Vancouver, WA. Forth Plain Church of the Nazarene
Jan. 15th: Tucson, AZ. International Jewish Film Festival event
Jan. 16th: Tucson, AZ. Campaign Kickoff - Jewish Federation
Jan. 25th: Ventura, CA. Women's Philanthropy luncheon
Feb. 7th: Jacksonville, FL. Women's Division luncheon
Feb. 8th: Jacksonville, FL. St. Giles Presbyterian Church and pot luck
Feb. 28th: Miami, Fl. Canadian Lions Luncheon
March 7th: Long Beach, CA. Jewish Federation campaign event
March 12th: Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura, CA.
March 12: Channel Islands, College. Camereo, CA.
March 13th: FBI group - Los Angeles, CA.
March 19th: San Gabriel & Pomona, CA. Annual women's Forum
March 21st: St Helen's Oregon Public Library
March 28th: Probstel Church, Camas, Washington
April 4th: Brainbridge Island, WA. Congregation Kol Shalom
April 5th: Woodenville, WA. Congregation Kol Ami
April 14th: Flint, MI, Community Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Federation
April 18th: Hillcrest Nazarene Church, Vancouver, WA.
April 25th: Mountain View High School. Vancouver, WA
April 26th: 55+ Christian Women's group. Vancouver, WA
May 2nd: Fort Vancouver High School. Vancouver, WA.
May 3rd: Prairie High School, Vancouver, WA.
May 6th: Simon Weisenthal Center, Toronto, Canada
May 13th: Vancouver, Canada. Lion of Judah Event
May 17th: Zion's Camp. Belfair, WA.
May 30th: Discover Middle School, Vancouver, WA.
July 26th: St. Anne's Feast Event. Los Angeles, CA.
Aug. 16th: Portland, OR: Embassy Suites downtown
Oct. 1st: Ottawa, Canada: Jewish Federation
Oct. 8th: Scarsdale, New York: Jewish Federation Opening Event brunch
Oct 8th: Cherry Hill, New Jersey: Federation Outreach dinner
Oct. 10th: Northern New Jersey: Lion of Judah Luncheon
Oct. 17th: San Francisco, CA.- Lion of Judah Luncheon
Oct. 22nd: Miami, FL. - Federation Opening Event
Oct 27th: Baltimore, MD: Jewish Federation Campaign Kickoff
Nov. 4th: Fort Wayne, IN. - Federation Campaign Opener
Nov. 14th: Spokane, WA. - Community event
Nov. 15th: Spokane, WA. - Teacher Seminar
Dec. 3rd: Greenwich, Connecticut Lion of Judah Breakfast
Irene Gut Opdyke - Rescuer
Jeannie Opdyke Smith - Speaker
"One Person Can Make a Difference!"
In many ways the story of my mother's life seems too unbelievable for even Hollywood. What was it about Irene Gut Opdyke that made her step out of the path of least resistance and choose to get involved when so many others did not? Was it her upbringing? Her faith? What gave her the courage and strength to do what she did?
As the only child of Irene, I've been asked these questions for years. My mother never sat me down and explained all of her reasons... But these questions were answered: by her actions, her deeds and her day to day life. Mom "lived" the two greatest commandments: to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. The short, simple answer is this: faith, forgiveness and love!
My mother didn't think she had exceptional courage or strength. She truly believed that God placed her in positions for a reason: and so she placed herself in His hands. She had a simple view about life and a faith that carried and sustained her. Mom used to say, "Courage is a whisper from above... If you think only with your head and not with your heart, your head will tell you"Dis is dangerous... don't do dat. You have to involve your heart."
The day before my mom passed away she told my husband and I how grateful she was for her life, how she cherished every day. There was no regret, no bitterness... just gratitude. I could only marvel at her contentment and pray that at the end of my life, I could say that: I too had run the race that was set before me, and finished as well as she had.
With Much Love,
Janina (Jeannie) Opdyke Smith
Please feel free to browse through this web-site. I've included pictures, video's from the 2009 Broadway Play Irena's Vow as well as interview videos with my mom that I often show at schools.
Below you will find a list of some of my upcoming speaking engagements where I'll be sharing my mothers story as well as a few comments I've received from people who have heard me.
I also plan to include pictures, bits of notes and letters I've received and other material that would be appropriate in this site.
I will do my best to keep this site up as well as answering emails that are sent my way, be patient as I do travel quite a bit. Please feel free to contact me if your interested in having me speak to your group or event. The best contact email is: ireneopdyke@gmail.com or hillsidegirl@gmail.com
Dear Jeannie
You have made me an instant celebrity. The phone calls and E-Mail are still coming in. Everybody felt it was the best Lion Of Judah event they ever went to. But needless, to say I owe it all to you. Jeannie what is extraordinary about you, is you speak from your heart. Your mother’s story is amazing in so many ways. Her bravery is what made her so unique and such an amazing woman. Palm Springs, CA.
Jeannie,
The community is still abuzz, talking about how impressed they were with the moving way you tell your mother’s amazing story. So many people have told us that this event and the program presented were one of the best that they ever attended. Thank you for ensuring that our event was such a success. San Diego, CA.
The program this afternoon was absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much for your recommendation. Jeannie Smith is an effective spokesperson: gentle, bright, engaging. Daytona Beach, FL.
Some comments and Feedback
Please contact me for references
WOW! What a presentation about a very special person. I thought the manner in which you spoke about your mother's WWII experiences was both informative but very personal. When you mimicked her accent, Irene almost came alive. I had to keep reminding myself how young she was during this period of her life (afterall only about 4 years older than you were when you found out about this part of her life). She was wise and clever beyond her years. Thank you so very much for reminding us through Irene's story that one person can make a difference and unless the silent majority speaks up, similar events could repeat themselves. Your mother would be proud that you are continuing her mission. Vancouver, WA.
Jeannie Opdyke Smith
Above all, this is a story of choices: a story of ordinary people immersed in a living hell, who chose to keep faith with each other, their ideals, their country, and their God.
In a time when too many among us seek to avoid responsibility, here we find the story of a young woman who willingly took responsibility for herself and dozens of others. In a time when politicians conveniently twist "values education" to their own advantage, here we find the story of a woman whose religious and ethical heritage repeatedly demanded the best of her, even under the most dangerous of circumstances. Here we find a heroine on the order of Oscar Schindler or Raul Wallenburg. This life-affirming tale demonstrates that even under the most extreme circumstances, one righteous person can still change the world for the better. For that reason alone, this book is worth reading.
If you have been wounded too often, and have become just a little too cynical about the world, read this book. If you enjoy a thrilling adventure story, laced with romance, read this book. If you want to inspire a child (especially a girl) to greater moral courage, read this book with her. If you wish to remember that glimmers of light shone through the darkness that engulfed the world from 1939 to 1945, read this book.
I am so grateful for having read this book. It was deeply moving. I am a seventeen year old girl, as Irene was when the war began, and I cannot even imagine having to experience all of things she did....being raped, a mistress, etc. I admire this woman so much, her courage and determination are one in a billion. It's incomprehensible to know what she went through during those dreadful years, yet through it all her faith is what helped her to survive. I will never forget this book for as long as live...I've read so many books, and I have to admit that I think this one has truly moved me the most. I've read many Holocaust stories as well, but this had a profound effect on me. Please read this book--you'll gain not only a better insight of World War II and the Holocaust, but also how to appreciate life more and realize how much you take for granted.
This short book is one of the more remarkable books on the Holocaust I have ever read. It details the life of one seemingly ordinary nursing student, thrown into adversity, who demonstrates extraordinary courage and heroism and humanity responding to the needs of a group of Jewish prisoners in her care. Against extraordinary odds, she manages to harbor the group in the basement of a house occupied by a Wehrmacht officer for whom she serves as housekeeper. The book is an easy read, written in a warm and direct style, very personal, and at the same time very intense. Reading this book helps answer some of the eternal questions about the survival of humanity in Nazi-occupied Europe, and is a must-read for students of the subject.
In My Hands - Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer
Knopf/Random House
Irene Gut Opdyke
Some reviews:
An extraordinary display of heroism and courage in adversity.
More about Irene:
The Israeli Holocaust Commission named Irene one of the Righteous among the Nations; a title given to those who risked their lives by aiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust. She was presented with the Israel Medal of Honor, Israel’s highest tribute in a ceremony at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. The Vatican has given Irene a special commendation and her story is part of a permanent exhibit in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. In 2008 Irene was presented posthumously the Commanders Cross – the Polish medal of honor, given by the president and First Lady of Poland and in 2009 Irene was presented posthumously the Courage to Care award by the Anti Defamation League in a special ceremony in Washington DC., both of these awards we’re accepted by Irene’s only child – Jeannie Smith.
About Jeannie Smith:
Jeannie resides in Woodland, Washington with her husband Gary. She is the mother of two big strapping sons and the grandmother of 3 beautiful grandchildren.
Jeannie is part of a new generation of Holocaust Speakers who share life stories from their parents first hand experiences.
She is a member and speaker for the Oregon & Washington Holocaust Speakers Bureau, a regular speaker for the Anti Defamation League as well as the Bearing Witness Program, international speaker for the Jewish Federation across the United States and Canada.
She travels to schools, churches, camps, organizations, fund raising groups and clubs throughout the United States.
The story she tells, although filled with the horrors and hate that the Holocaust holds also brings the message that faith, love and hope can triumph over evil. It proclaims the conviction that one by one we can say no to hatred, persecution and predigest.
The story speaks of the power of love and encourages the fact that “One person can make a difference!” Love is the greatest weapon we have, Hate is easy, it takes real courage to Love.
Katy Carr: Mala Little Flower.
On the top ten charts in Poland. Thanks Katy!
** This song is dedicated to my mom at the end. Please feel free to listen and enjoy!
Hi Jeannie,
i am a songwriter from England with Polish roots and I have just released an album about the WW2 Polish Experience. I understand that one of your recent speakers from Jeannie Smith, whose mother was Irena Gut Opdyke. My song Mala little Flower which was released alongside my album on 17th Sept 2012 to commemorate the Soviet invasion of Poland was 'Song of the day,' on the very renowned Polish Radio Station 'Trojka' and this song has been inspired by Irena's story. My album will be released in Britain on 11th Nov.
With Best wishes Katy
Mala little flower on Soundcloud
http://soundcloud.com/mjmmusicpl/katy-carr-mala-little-flower
The drawings below were created by Jamie, of Woodland, Washington.
Thanks Jamie, these are awesome!
Left - right: Irene, Wadja, Bronia,Maria, Janina
Irena's Vow
Irene's Wedding Day
Broadway
Staring Tovah Feldshuh
Jeannie,
Thank you does not seem adequate. I have NEVER been so inspired in all my life, Thank you for sharing your Mother's incredible story. Honestly if I didn't hear it I would have never believed something so tragic and wonderful at the same time could be true. I thank your mother for believing and I thank you for telling her story. It is necessary, important and no one could tell it as good as you. You were truly amazing. Your mother would be so proud of the remarkable woman you are. Thank you! thank you!
