The Blue Card family mourns the loss of one of our brightest lights. Irene Hizme was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a steadfast supporter of The Blue Card’s mission. She faced life’s challenges with irrepressible wit and generosity, in spite of enduring a horrific childhood as the subject of experimentation by Josef Mengele at Auschwitz.

Irene firmly believed and often stated that “the road to Auschwitz is paved with silence.” She therefore spoke publicly about her experiences during the Holocaust and the need to stand against all forms of genocide. Together with her twin brother René Slotkin, she was the subject of the 2005 documentary film René and I.

Despite serious health struggles, Irene created magnificent calligraphic art embellished with handmade dried flowers. Her cards and scrolls are cherished by all who received them. Our hearts go out to her husband Sam, daughter and son-in-law Lori and Jonathan, daughter Robin, and her grandchildren, Perrin, Rami, Lilah, and Chaim.

by Zeva Oelbaum