Rena's Promise: A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz

Rena Kornreich was one of the earliest prisoners in Auschwitz, number 1716. This is the story of how she survived there for three and a half years, keeping her sister alive with her. She escaped from the crematoria and survived Mengele's experiments, illness and starvation.

This is a book filled with melancholy wisdom and bitter artistry.... A miraculous message...a voice which we must heed and honor. --Mike Fink, "Rhode Island Jewish Herald"

"A personal story of courage....[Rena's] first-person account is an illustration of the power of love, even in the face of the Nazi killing machine." --Paul Nowell, Associated Press

"Deeply moving." --Dena Taylor, "San Francisco Chronicle"

"Written with simplicity and grace." --"Los Angeles Times Book Review"
""Rena's Promise "went with us on the Zen Peacemakers' first pilgrimage to Auschwitz, in 1996. On our first night together, one of our monks shared a simple message of love from Rena to us. Her message changed our lives." --Peter Matthiessen, author of "In Paradise."
"One of the most accurate accounts, and the only account of the first women's camp in Auschwitz. This is a book historians will refer to for years to come." --Irena Strezlecka, director, Auschwitz Museum of Women, Oświęcim, Poland
"This is an extraordinary book, vividly written and generously told. You will not easily forget Rena Kornreich, and her sister Danka. Nor should you. It's seems trite to say that this book--harrowing as it often is--is less a tragedy than a love story, but it's true. By turns soul-wrenching, inspiring and heart-breaking, this is a tale that should live long beyond the wonderful woman who inspired it." --Alexandra Fuller, author of "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight"

""Rena's Promise "is written with simplicity and grace. . . . The overwhelming feeling upon finishing is one of triumph: It is still possible to find selflessness and human connection among people living in a place of relentless horror."--"Los Angeles Times Book Review"
"A poignant and important act of remembrance." --Sir Martin Gilbert, author of "The Holocaust: The Human Tragedy"
"An extraordinary book, vividly written and generously told. You will not easily forget Rena Kornreich and her sister Danka. Nor should you. Harrowing as it often is, this is less a tragedy than a love story. By turns soul-wrenching, inspiring, and heartbreaking, this is a tale that should live long beyond the wonderful woman who inspired it." --Alexandra Fuller, author of "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight"
"Through her actions during and after the Shoah, Rena Kornreich Gelissen ensured that out of the darkest night, the light of the survivors and their memory remained. Faced with destruction, she and the Jewish people survived." --Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
""Rena's Promise "went with us on the Zen Peacemakers' first pilgrimage to Auschwitz in 1996. On our first night together, one of our monks shared a simple message of love from Rena to us. Her message changed our lives." --Peter Matthiessen, author of "In Paradise"
"One of the most accurate accounts, and the only account of the first women's camp in Auschwitz. This is a book historians will refer to for years to come." --Irena Strezlecka, director, Auschwitz Museum of Women, Oswiecim, Poland

""Rena s Promise "is written with simplicity and grace. . . . The overwhelming feeling upon finishing is one of triumph: It is still possible to find selflessness and human connection among people living in a place of relentless horror." "Los Angeles Times Book Review"
A poignant and important act of remembrance. Sir Martin Gilbert, author of "The Holocaust: The Human Tragedy"
An extraordinary book, vividly written and generously told. You will not easily forgetRena Kornreich and her sister Danka. Nor should you. Harrowing as it often is, this is less a tragedy than a love story. By turns soul-wrenching, inspiring, and heartbreaking, this is a tale that should live long beyond thewonderfulwoman who inspired it. Alexandra Fuller, author of "Don t Let s Go to the Dogs Tonight"
Through her actions during and after the Shoah, Rena Kornreich Gelissen ensured that out of the darkest night, the light of the survivors and their memory remained. Faced with destruction, she and the Jewish people survived. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
"Rena s Promise "went with us on the Zen Peacemakers first pilgrimage to Auschwitz in 1996. On our first night together, one of our monks shared a simple message of love from Rena to us. Her message changed our lives. Peter Matthiessen, author of "In Paradise"
One of the most accurate accounts, and the only account of the first women s camp in Auschwitz. This is a book historians will refer to for years to come. Irena Strezlecka, director, Auschwitz Museum of Women, Oswiecim, Poland"