World Belongs to the Children by Raya Goldtwig

A compelling and lyrical memoir of a young Jewish girl in WWII Europe and Russia, learning the importance of connection and community even as the world grows dark around her.

We are all formed by our childhoods. These are the years that define us, and that teach us the most important lessons about the world we live in. These are the years we must cherish and protect.

In August 1939 Raya Goldtwig’s secure and happy childhood as the three-year-old daughter of a prosperous Jewish shop owner in Warsaw came to a sudden end. Together with her father, mother and brother, she fled across the border to Soviet territory, enduring terror and uncertainty but also building a new home and a new community. When Nazi Germany invaded, though, Raya and her family again had to flee.

Against such a terrible backdrop, Raya’s story of love, community and wonder is a testament to the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of tragedy. Looking through a young girl’s eye, she clearly shows why childhood is precious, and why we must ensure all children are safe from the evil of war.

About the Author: Raya Goldtwig was born in Warsaw and spent her early childhood moving through Russia and wartime Europe, later living in a refugee camp in Germany. She arrived in Melbourne in 1950, speaking six languages. She studied linguistics at Monash University, and her translations of poems by Osip Mandelstam and a creative nonfiction story have appeared in Australian literary journals. She lives in Melbourne and will turn ninety in 2026.

31 Mar 2026
 

The World Belongs to the Children: The powerful lessons of a childhood under the shadow of war by Raya Goldtwig ISBN 9781761637070