A Book by Me-The Inspiring Life of Ida Kramer

If there were an official position known as “The Holocaust Expert,” Ida Kramer would hold that title hands down. For over thirty years, Ida was the Quad Cities voice of Holocaust information for schools, civic groups and the community at large. Ida was born in Philadelphia to Jewish immigrants. Her father’s twin sister did not immigrate to the USA and perished in the Holocaust as did many other family members. Little Ida was four when her baby sister was born. Roz and Ida lived with their parents in an area of town called Strawberry Mansion, named for a restaurant famous for serving strawberries and cream. Many Jewish families lived there and the girls had a very happy childhood. They knew only love and support with their mother, who was a seamstress, and their father, who was a tailor. When Ida was six, her father was hit and killed by a car. Both sisters attended a high school for gifted learners. Ida graduated high school at age 16 due to her high IQ and was offered a full scholarship to college. She refused so she could work and help make her mother’s financial life easier. She married Herb Kramer, and they raised three children in the Quad Cities. Ida was relentless in her efforts to insure that students and teachers alike have the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivors face to face. While serving as the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, she often visited public and private schools in nearby and outlying districts, accompanying survivors and helping them tell their stories, even when they had difficulty finding the words or enduring the memories. She thrived on questions that followed their presentations, such as “So, what did the Jews do to deserve such treatment?” or “Why didn’t the Jews do something?” or “Do you hate the Germans now?”Since Ida and her companions were often the first and only persons of the Jewish faith that students had met, some questions directly addressed being Jewish. Ida never shied away from telling her own story and encouraging others to continue learning about her faith and practices. Many groups related to Holocaust education in the Quad Cities owe their start to Ida (including A BOOK by ME). Her voice against bigotry and intolerance, and her belief in the capacity of each of us to make a positive difference, will be long remembered. In addition, Ida worked tirelessly on the Israel Bond Drive knowing the importance of the State of Israel to the Jewish people. It became home to many survivors after the war, and she felt strongly that Israel has a right to exist and defend herself.Ida worked extremely hard but always found time to visit her children (and six grandchildren) in Chicago, St. Louis and Israel. She is always ready to share pictures of her seven great grandchildren with her friends. Twins run in the family, and her youngest great grandchildren are twins who live in Israel. Ida hoped and prayed for peace in the Middle East allowing people of all faiths to live fulfilled lives. To honor her sister, Roz Goldstine and her husband Abner have funded the “Ida Kramer Children and the Holocaust Essay Contest.” A college scholarship is awarded annually to the winner of this essay contest. The young author of this children's book was the first recipient of this award. Congratulations to Rachael Cupp.