War orphan, local author, to hold book reading and signing

It took nearly a lifetime to overcome severe anxiety and sadness, but Bonners Ferry resident Mary Friedmann Berges is now sharing her story of loss and love with the world in her new memoir, “Finding the Light Within: My Journey of Healing After the Holocaust.”

Berges will be reading an excerpt from her book, and also signing copies, at the Boundary County Library, 6370 Kootenai St., starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. The event is free and open to the public.

Mary’s story begins in Belgium, where she was born in 1935. In the book, she recalls an early childhood filled with love and laughter in a Jewish family that included her older brother, mother and father. Then, during World War II in the 1940s, millions of people were sent to concentration camps and killed as part of the German policy to eradicate all European Jews. Thousands of Jewish children survived the carnage, however, because they were hidden by their parents with friends and relatives, or in Catholic orphanages. Mary was one of those children.

In the decades to come, Mary would be haunted by feelings she did not understand: abandonment, as well as self-perceived inadequacies and depression. But with perseverance and the aid of those around her, Mary eventually discovered a place where she belonged.

Working on her book over the last few years hasn’t been easy, however, as it has brought back many painful memories from her past, along with a few solemn answers to her biggest questions. But Mary believes her ability to find happiness and joy, and accept the love of family once again, is a lesson of how every person can change and find fulfillment at any age.

“Despite the relentless turmoil within us, it is possible to overcome challenges,” she said.

“Finding the Light Within” was published in 2019.