@ainsliehepburn
Writer, tutor, social historian. Author: 'A Jew who defeated Nazism: Herbert Sulzbach's Peace, Reconciliation and a New Germany' (2022) and 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust: The Story and Letters of a German Jewish Family' (2025). www.ainsliehepburn.eu
Obama: "We are living in a time where it can be hard to hope. Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions. Another setback to the idea of the rule of law ... but this man - Rev. Jesse Jackson - inspires us to take a harder path ... bc if we don't step up, nobody else will"
When it comes to misconduct in public office, we have investigations into a former trade minister, Lord Mandelson, a former/prince trade envoy, Andrew, but saliently missing for both his Bannon and Lebedev connections is the former Foreign Secretary bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
"Holding on to small & significant truths, especially when difficult, can make the difference. Virginia Giuffre did, as she had no choice. Because of the survivors, the Epstein Files were released. They made darkness visible for us all"
My editorial on Andrew, contempt – and creating powerlessness:
A fantastic post from the Museum fo English Rural Life about one of our early writers. We're so pleased to see E.M. Barraud getting this recognition! Do give the article a read!
🔥 Caroline Lucas: "Your position is utterly incoherent."
🔵 "We've got a party that pretends to be an insurgent party, an anti establishment, anti-elite party, and yet it's stuffed full of old Tory retreads."
🤔 "I mean, it just doesn't add up."
ALSO - if you missed out on your childhood measles vaccine and haven't had measles, you can get *free* MMR vaccination from your GP! (whether as an older child, teenager or adult).
I got my MMR about 10 years ago!
www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...
'Bridging Generations'. Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 - my latest blog post www.ainsliehepburn.eu. These students remembered, researched and laid Stolpersteine for members of the former Jewish community in their city of #Wilhelmshaven. The world needs young people to resist fascism #hmd #books #resist
Holocaust Memorial Day is almost here. This year's theme is 'Bridging Generations' and I am reminded of the young people in Germany last year who laid Stolpersteine for our family. They continue to research and plan memorials for the Jewish community that once lived in their city #HMD #Holocaust
Vel d'Hiv in Paris: July 1942 roundups of Jews to be sent for extermination. Today France remembers with honesty her part in active collaboration with the Nazis to effect their policies. It was a sombre moment to be part of today's commemorations in both Pau and Camp de Gurs. #holocaust #pyrenees
Sometimes writing letters is the only way to stay connected. The discovery of these letters led to my latest book, 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust: The Story and Letters of a German Jewish Family'. More in today's blog on my website at www.ainsliehepburn.eu #books #holocaust #ww2 #publishing
In June 1940, many German Jewish women in Britain were interned on the Isle of Man. They were kept in large Edwardian boarding houses for many months. See the true story of two women who were interned at this time - one here and one in France - in the new blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu
Find out more via our country case studies on #TheHolocaustExplained 🔗 buff.ly/BZJubeT
German soldiers march by the Arc de Triomphe on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, June 1940.
On 22 June 1940, the French surrendered and signed an armistice with the Nazis. France was divided in two zones.
Northern France was occupied and controlled by Germany. The unoccupied southern zone came under the control of a new French Government led by Marshal Phillipe Pétain
📸 Bundesarchiv
Chaos and confusion in Paris June 1940 as people fled the advancing German forces. More in the blog on my website today www.ainsliehepburn.eu
Brilliant meeting to arrange a village history event at Worfield Village Hall on Saturday 13 September. Talks, coffee, cake! Save the date - lots more details to come. Thanks to the Committee for such an enthusiastic beginning. #Shropshire #history #villagelife #familyhistory
In June 1938, 87 years ago, a young Jewish couple managed to escape Nazi Germany because his father could raise enough money for them to do so. Emigration can be an expensive lottery and not everyone finds safety from violence and cruelty. More in my blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu #refugee
Thoughts on the evacuation of Dunkirk 85 years ago in today's blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu #ww2 #Dunkirk #writing The smallest boat in the fleet was a rowing boat named 'Tamzine', now in the Imperial War Museum in London #IWM
Glad to share the story of the Sulzbach family to groups in #Frankfurt and #Heidelberg. This banking family gave money to philanthropic activities in Frankfurt, especially those in the worlds of music and social care. More in the blog at www.ainsliehepburn.eu. Emil Sulzbach is in the photo 1908.
So good to be in #Frankfurt again! And visiting the newly renovated Jewish Museum here. Amazing exhibitions! Looking forward to talking about Herbert Sulzbach on Thursday 22 May, Presseclub, Ulmenstrasse 20, Frankfurt at 19.00h. Everyone welcome! Do come! #museum #DBG #reconciliation
85 years ago, Brussels was invaded and all Jewish refugees who had fled there from Germany found themselves caught up in bombing and chaos, detained, arrested and sent elsewhere. Read the story of two of them in today's blog www.ainsliehepburn.eu #refugee #WW2 #books #writing
Remembering 8 May 1945 inspires us to continue to fight against cruelty, intolerance, racism, brutality - however we can, wherever we are. It is still an ongoing fight #hope #humanity #resistance #memory
'It is a mixture of joy, emotion, & highest pride' - Herbert Sulzbach, London 8 May 1945. Born a German Jew, he was forced out of his country and fought against Nazism in the British army. More in my blog www.ainsliehepburn.eu and book 'A Jew who defeated Nazism'. Buy @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
A story of hope and reconciliation after war. Perfect reading for VE week. Buy from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social or @waterstones.bsky.social One man's journey to change the world for good. Enjoy the read! #hope #reconciliation
Planning a Bank Holiday cycle ride? In the early 20 century cycling was a craze and women loved the freedom and independence it gave them. My grandmother (here) proudly took her bicycle to the photography studio for her portrait. Comfortable clothing was available for cycling - but always the hat.
Planning a Bank Holiday cycle ride? In the early 20 centurymcycling was quite the craze
April 1941 a Jewish couple tried to emigrate to USA. While petitioning committees in Marseille, they stayed in this house in Aix en Provence. More on my website, and full story in my new book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust'. Available in bookshops or the publisher @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
As spring weather takes us outside, we all need a book with us for company when we sit on that park bench, or the one by the sea or the lake, or take a break in the allotment. Give yourself - or someone you love - a book worth reading. One with 5 star reviews. A gift for Easter - or just for you.
1 April 1939 Hitler visited Wilhelmshaven to launch a battleship. He held a rally outside the City Hall and was given an award in the main hall of the building. On 6 Feb 2025 I stood in the same place as him in the hall to talk about my book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust' www.ainsliehepburn.eu
