The lessons from  Steal A Pencil For  Me , hold true  to this day , and echo through the words of Jack Polak:  60 million people died simply because no one stopped one crazy person - Adolf Hitler. As the world awaits the threat of invasion of Ukraine ,  the messages of Jack Polak not to be a bystander , work for peace and make this world a better place,  resonate strongly more than ever.  Thank you for sharing this beautiful and inspiring story  that teaches the world that love is still the answer . God bless your beautiful souls Jack and Ina . 

I just finished the documentary “steal a pencil for me”. What beautiful love Ina and Jaap have, their love for one another  was a true light amid dark times. May she Rest In Peace. 


I just watched the documentary steal a pencil for me.   What an inspirational story of love and determination.   Such a beautiful couple . Thank you for sharing your story . 


I just watched the documentary late last night. Of all I have read or watched of the Holocaust this was the most inspiring. Thank you for making this wonderful account available for the world. Truly a triumph of the human spirit!

I just watched your movie tonight-happy birthday in heaven and found it to be so absolutely beautiful-you are right-your family and the life you have lived is the best revenge-so inspired by all of you!
Julie Hurley

I just watched the movie "Steal A Pencil For Me" not knowing it was your birthday. Happy Birthday and may you rest in peace with Jaap. I really enjoyed the movie and I have not forgotten the Holocaust when I first learn/read about it in my history class (Jr. High) back in the 1980s. My thoughts and prayers to the Polak family.

Ina and Jaap's story,  "Steal a Pencil for Me", is a beautiful and moving story. Their love for each other got them through one of the most horrific times in history. God Bless them and their entire family.

Thank you for your beautiful story. May her memory be a blessing

Thanks for sharing your beautiful story and thanks for the resilience and dignity you showcased. Rest In Peace with Jack and your loved ones. 


Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I just watched Steal a Pencil For Me and it was very meaningful.  May yours and Jaap's memory be a blessing. 

I just watched Steal a Pencil for Me on Netflix, and I was at a loss for words. Your love story is one for the ages. May God bless your family, and may your legacy live on forever.

The older I get the more I respect this generation and all the knowledge and wisdom  they hold
Thanks for sharing there life 

I just watched Steal a pencil for me, and cried so much . I have always been, am now and always will be appalled, ashamed and devastated by what my country did to all the wonderful people. My parents were both infants /toddlers during the war and had no power to change history.  But as a mother myself, I always made sure that my children learned about the horrible  tragedy and history of Germany. I want to say how terribly sorry I am for what my country did. I know words are never enough, but they are from the bottom of my heart.

BLESS INA AND JACK, MY HUSBAND AND I JUST FINISHED WATCHING SAVE A PENCIL FOR ME.  WHAT A TOUCHING AND AMAZING STORY.  MY HEART BREAKS FOR ALL THAT THESE PEOPLE WENT THROUGH.  THANK YOU FOR THE STORY, AND I NOW KNOW YOU ARE BOTH TOGETHER AGAIN.  LOVE TO ALL OF THE FAMILY.  I WAS TOUCHED WHEN JACK WAS SPEAKING TO THE CHILDREN AND SAYING ,"THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JEW AND NON-JEW, NOR BLACK AND WHITE, WE ARE ALL BORN THE SAME AND WE ALL DIE". THOSE WORDS IS WHAT WE SHOULD ALL LIVE BY.

My wife and I just watched, “Steal a Pencil for Me,” and we were deeply moved by their love and devotion for each other. We wish so many young people would see this documentary so they could learn about the Holocaust and one couple’s ability to stay strong and in love through all their challenges. We so enjoyed watching  Ina and Jaap interact, laughing and keeping upbeat. Ina was always  the stoic one and Jaap was ever the optimist! Thank you, Ina and Jaap for getting married, having a family, writing the book and sharing your testimony of the Holocaust. 


I just watched Steal A Pencil For Me. I was deeply moved by the both the story and the love that your parents had for each other. One scene stood out for me. Very recently my grandson who is about to become a Bar Mitzvah shared with me that he really does not believe in g-d. How could there be a g-d if such terrible things have happened he said? But your dad put it another way. Yes, terrible things happened to the Jews but g-d decided to save your dad. I will share that with my grandson. Perhaps that will help my grandson....and me as well.

Just watched the documentary.  So very sweet.  Thank you for sharing your life and story with the world.  May you Rest In Peace.

Your story touched me Thank you for surviving and living a wonderful life ❤

I just watched the documentary, “Steal a Pencil for Me”. How powerful real love can be! Nothing can destroy it; it grows with time, it never ends… Jack and Ina are the perfect example of this kind of love. 
I’m so glad of the fact they were able to stay together and live a wonderful, fulfilling life!!! I’m sure that they continue to share their great love in heaven. 


Just finished watching “Steal a Pencil for Me”.
Be it fate, destiny, Godly blessing or protection,
your parents survived the wickedness of men to live an unbelievable life and enduring love story. What a man of love your father was and how beautiful your mother. Two souls who were truly each other’s “beshert”.
May their lives and moreover their love always be an inspiration for all of your family.
God Bless Always.
Vilma Cordova


Words cannot express how watching the documentary made me feel; every emotion. The love between your mother and father was so very beautiful, they were both so incredibly strong - definitely a part of The Greatest Generation.  I know they are together again in heaven, sitting at the Right Hand of God.

Blessings Always.
Margaret Peletier

I just saw the documentary and wanted to pay my respects. What an extraordinary love story!  I'm so glad Ina and Jaap got to live their love and see their family grow. Rest in peace. 

As have many of the others who have posted , I have just seen " Steal a pencil for me " and wanted to know more about Ina and  Jack Polak. My wife and I are Canadian and my father-in-law was a veteran in Europe  during the war. We are so appreciative of the Polak story of love overcoming the tragedy of war and atrocity..
Our condolences to the families of these two beautiful people!!

Lee and Isabel Wood

I just watched “Steal A Pencil For
Me”. My appreciation for the survivors who teach about their experiences during a very real part of our history is huge. To have to speak of it over and over but knowing that reaching people, children, is so  vitally important so that, God forbid, it never happens again. Bless them and their families. 

I just watched “Steal a Pencil For Me”.  How incredibly uplifting and sad at the same time. How people can treat others so inhumanly is beyond me.  I was touched by their love and devotion to one another throughout. It gave them strength and courage to survive the most deplorable examples of human acts. Rest in peace. We should all never forget. 

I just finished watching "Steal a pencil for me". I cried most of the entire movie. It was the most heartfelt remembrance of a devastating time in history.  Their loved endured. May God Bless them and their families! MAY GOD BLESS US ALL!!

Sincerely 
Desiree

I just watched Steal A Pencil For Me.  What a beautiful love story. Their love kept them alive during a horrendous life experience. God Bless them both as they guide others through the light.

Just watched the incredible documentary- soulful and inspiring life’s journey. Ina and Jaap, you had an extraordinary life.   As we mourn all those perished,  your life’s journey reminds us only love for one another and for the mankind thrives and lives-on forever!

I also just watched the documentary on Netflix. What a remarkable story of survival against all odds !!
A Dutch born American myself (born in Delft in November 1946) I can so relate to the agony of those horrible years.
Your Mother was a very beautiful lady ! Together with her devoted husband Jaap she set quite an example.
They are both remembered with love. <3


I just watched their story on Netflix about the concentration camp.  It made me cry!  She was really a beauty.  He sure loved her- what a wonderful husband he must have been.   They both seemed so kind and so intelligent.  I am sure they were wonderful parents.  I am so sorry for your loss.  

My husband and l just watched Steal me a Pencil - how beautiful.  Your life and continued romance just proves that LOVE is stronger than hate.

My Dad was a WWII soldier and was a member of the Canadian Army Calgary Highlander Brigade that helped repatriate Holland.  He received the Dutch medal.

God bless and keep you always together in heaven.  Shalom

I just watched their incredible courageous love in the midst of so much darkness.  It brought me so much joy to see a glimpse of what not taking this precious thing we call “life” for granted!   “Living their lives fully”.   Jack (Japp) died seven months later,  only to follow his true love!  Peace and love to all his family.  I pray that the world see the Light in the midst of darkness!

I just watched Steal a Pencil for Me  and instantly fell smitten with Jack and Ina...
What tremendously strong, caring and passionate people they were and I wish I had the chance to meet them.  I visited the Bergen Belson camp when I was 18 in 1980 and I’ll never forget it as long as I live.  I can’t imagine the strength they had but that their love was stronger than the camps... what an inspiration for all of us.  We must remember their courage in times like these.  God Bless them.

I just finished watching the movie about this extraordinary love. Jack and Ina were strong and amazing people.  In these hard moments their family should be proud to had such a great and loving people in their life. 

What an inspiring life you lived. No doubt that you and Jaap are together again on the other side. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful love story with the world. Rest In Peace.

What a wonderful love story through such tragedy and suffering. Continued support for Anne Frank Center, another precious gift created by two precious souls that have touch so many lives by sharing their documentary.

Our late Grandmother and Great Grandmother were the only survivors of that same time from their entire family. No words or names spoken, no tears shed in front of their children or us, like it never happened.
 
The Gift the loving couple Ina & Jaap provided to share insight and details is healing to us as probably to many others.

May God continue to provide many blessing to the family and may no one that watches the documentary ever forget those many lives lost. History must stop repeating itself.


Tears for Ina and Jack, having just watched the film of their unlikely, extraordinary  love story.  Condolences to family and friends on their passing. May we all never forget their example of  enduring love. 

I just watched their love story in Steal a Pencil For Me. What a beautiful and heroic couple. I pray they are resting peacefully in eternity never to be separated again.

What a great love story of Jack and Ina Polak!! The strength, persistence, wisdom of this beautiful couple is admirable. May they be resting in peace in God's presence for eternity along with those tragically killed during the Holocaust. 

I just finished watching "Steal a Pencil for Me".  What an amazing story of two people who were meant to be together.  Love is never ending.

My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Polak and his family. I just watched the documentary this evening and it moved me in many ways; thank you for sharing your life in such a beautiful way.

Most, amazing touching, deepest love story. Thank you for sharing your amazing love story and life, with tears of joy and sadness. May you rest in peace beautiful lady.

My sincere condolences. Last evening, we watched the documentary "Steal a Pencil for Me". The love between Ina and Jack moved us so profoundly. We will continue to live our lives accordingy to Jack's six rules and never forget the tragedies of the Holocaust. God bless her soul! Eternal memory! Tanya Rak  (Victoria, BC Canada)

My condolences on the lose of your amazing mother.  Both my parents are Dutch. My mother was born in Eindoven & my father was born in Rotterdam.  They both lived through the war but not being Jewish they did not suffer like your parents.  I just saw the movie "Can I Steal a Pencil" & it brought me closer to my parent's, & my heritage.  These are my people was all I could think.  My parents did not teach me Dutch or tell me much about my heritage, choosing instead to raise me as  a Canadian without any background.  Your parent's story taught me more about my heritage than both of my parents did!  Thank you.,l

I just watched the very moving, "Steal A Pencil for Me," and with tears of joy, I applaud Jaap and Ina's love story. My deepest condolence to the family,

My prayers to your family. Thank you for sharing your precious life and story with the world. Wishing Mr. Polak many prayers and blessings.

Ever since I watched "Steal a Pencil for Me" I have felt a connection with Ina and Jaap.  I bought the book and would check on the Internet to make sure they were both with us.  Well life gets busy as it does but I thought of them today and was rewatching their story when I checked on them.  So incredibly sad to hear of Ina's passing.  I could tell she was a beautiful spirit.  Bless you all.  I will keep you in my prayers.

My heart goes out to the Polak family. Just today I watched "Steal a Pencil for Me" and fell in love with Ina and Jaap. I was touched by their story. The memory of Ina will forever stay with me.
                                                                                Aleida F

In memory of Ina. Thoughts are with your family.

I have just finished watching "Steal A Pencil For Me" and my eyes are still wet. Please accept my condolences for the loss of Ina. Hold on to your memories and each other...Ina had a life well lived.

I just watched "Steal a Pencil for Me" and was so touched by their story it brought tears.  What a true survivor and heroine.  So sorry for your loss Jaap and hope you're keeping the strength and faith you and Ina shared to make your lives complete!  You are both in my prayers.
Patricia Akers, Fort Lupton, Co, August 9, 2014

I just watched "Steal a Pencil For Me". I was so blessed by it. I pray that Jack is well and God is giving comfort. Life here is so short but, the eternity to come will bring you both go ether again. Thank you for blessing me! I am not yet a grandparent but I will share your story with our boy. Rhonda Olson

I am watching Steal a Pencil for Me with my husband of six months (the love of my life) telling hiim about meeting Jack and Ina at Limmud NY 2010. So sad to hear that Ina just passed away. She was a wonderful woman with ageless spirit. Jack and family - so sorry for your loss.

I just saw "Steal a pencil for me" (Sat, August 2, 2014).
IT was beautiful. I started looking for them I found her Facebook, and I was thrilled and wanted to talk to her. But then I found this. I feel sad. Blessings for the family and love. Thank you all of you. 
-Andry (25)

I just finished watching Steal A Pencil For Me and I was very moved by it. Their story was a beautiful one.  I hope Jack is doing well. Sorry for your loss ?? Bless your souls

I recently began a journey of the Holocaust and because of this journey I watched Steal a Pencil for Me. I so wished I could have meet Ina in person, but through the documentary I feel as though they are family. They taught us some very good lessons. I will never forget Jack and Ina! I hope Jack is doing well, prayers to the whole family!

I am so sorry to hear of Ina's passing.  I was hoping to write a letter to her and her husband as I just finished watching Steal a Pencil for Me.  What a moving story of two unbelievably elegant and hopeful people.  I am still speechless.  68 years of a wonderful life together that you gave her Mr. Polak.  What more could a woman ask.

Linda

I watched the movie a few years back and mailed a short note of appreciation to Ina and Jack; I received a wonderful reply from Ina in response and I still have it. I am so sorry to learn of her passing, but she will be remembered fondly by myself and my family here in Texas. Our Prayers go out to Jack and their family.

Dear Margrit and Harvey,
Chris and I are so sad to learn of Ina's passing.  She was and is the vision of beauty and elegance.  Our condolences to you and your wonderful family.
Love,
John and Chris Nicoletta

I just finished seeing the documentary "Steal a Pencil for Me" and my condolences to all the family. Were it not for this film, I would never have known Jack and Ina, and their incredible story.

Condolences to your entire family. I had the pleasure of meeting Ina and working with her as her occupational therapist.  I am a better person for knowing her and learning about her life and struggles. She was a warm and wonderful woman. I look forward to the opportunity to continue her  and her husbands  legacy to everyone I know ! We must never forget!

My family and I would like to express our sympathies to Jack and family.  Ina was a beautiful, remarkable lady! We met Ina at many interfaith Holocaust functions in Westchester that my brother Gary videoded.  I feel blessed to have known such an inspiration to everyone.  sincerely, Randi, Karyl and Gary Miller.

Ina was a beacon of class and grace and an anchor to Jack's world citizenry.  My sympathies to jack and their family.  She will be be remembered fondly.

Jack and family
Our sympathy to you in this hour of your grief. We we were fortunate to know Ina. She was a special lady. May God comfort you and may Ina's memory be a blessing.

OBITUARY

Catharina Polak

Riverside Memorial Chapel - Hawthorne

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