It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. In 1938, two 12-year-old little girls briefly became the best of friends. They only spent about two weeks together, but that short period would stay with them for decades. No one else knew what they had been through. Edith and Gerda were a part of a lesser known mission in America during the holocaust, One Thousand Children. The project would remove children, 10 at a time, from Nazi Germany to the United States via cruise ships.
Edith and Gerda left their families to spend 10 days on a ship until they arrived in New York City. It was then that they became friends and the three days after, where they got to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and formed a lasting bond. Then, Edith went to a foster home in Chicago and Gerda went to stay with family in Seattle. They never heard from each other again.
Then, Edith's daughter, Fern spoke to a classroom of eighth graders. It was 73 years later, but when the middle schoolers heard Fern tell her mother's story, they knew one thing: they had to find Gerda! Edith had searched for years, but the internet-savvy kids were able to track down important clues. They found a newspaper clipping that revealed Gerda Katz had married and taken the last name Frumkin. Then, the kids found Gerda's 60th wedding anniversary announcement online. Then, they found phone records.
Before they knew it, Gerda and Edith were chatting over email, but in the video below you'll see the moment the two best friends reunite for the first time in person!
Please SHARE this touching reunion if you have a childhood best friend that you'll never forget!
[H/T: Chicago Tribune]
