Hiding Village — Hanna Ben Ichay

From January 1941 to December 1944, Hanna (then aged 3–7) was hidden in the village of Maignelay-Montigny, Oise — approximately 85 km north of Paris.

She was sheltered by the Tessier family, together with her step-cousin Jacky. The Prévot family, friends of her father, lived right next door to the Tessiers and helped protect her — they wanted to keep watch over Hanna at all times, in case the Germans came looking for her.

Jacky was hungry all the time, because the food ration was limited. Sometimes he would send Hanna to ask for more food, and Hanna — who received her own portion — would give him part of hers.

In the village she was known as Annette. Only the mayor and the school principal knew who she really was. On Sundays she went to church together with her foster family and their children.

Samuel and Miriam came to visit Hanna every Sunday. After her mother Miriam was taken to Auschwitz, only her father continued to visit her.

During school vacations, Hanna would visit the hiding village and stay with the Tessier family. Pictured: Hanna around age 7 with Janine, the Prévot family's daughter.

Miriam — Hanna's Mother →

Hanna with her parents

Hiding Village — Hanna at age 4 with her parents, Samuel and Miriam Weinstein.

Photo gallery

Hanna with her parents in the hiding village — Hanna in the hiding village next to her father Samuel (kneeling beside her); her mother Miriam is visible above him. The other people in the photo lived in the village.

The third person from the left is Bernard Weinstein, in the uniform of the French Resistance during World War II.

Video clip

The route Hanna walked to school and to church in the hiding village of Maignelay-Montigny.

The Tessier family house and the Prévot family house, which stood right next to each other.

Hanna returning to visit the hiding village of Maignelay-Montigny, where she was hidden during the Holocaust.

The surroundings where Hanna lived during World War II while she was hiding from the Nazis.

Historical documents

Testimony from the hiding village — Testimony of a teacher who taught Hanna in the hiding village, attesting that she was one of those who saved Hanna from extermination by the Nazis and taught her at the school in the village.
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