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Henrietta was born on January 22, 1940 in Antwerp, Belgium. She lived with her parents and her father's parents, who had met in Holland. The entire family moved to Antwerp, where they formed a close-knit unit, communicating in both French and German. Henrietta's father was the President of the Diamond Club and was very wealthy, while her mother worked as a nanny in Holland.
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After the war began, the family made the decision to come to America in 1945. Henrietta’s father disregarded warnings from others urging him to stay, knowing it was time to escape to save his family. They traversed Europe, trying to flee as countries began closing their borders. Ultimately, they ended up in Spain, boarding an overcrowded animal cargo boat that was intended for 15 but carried 1,000 people.
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The conditions were dreadful—open air, a terrible smell, and only one bathroom. Many died during the journey, prompting the rabbi to instruct the crew to throw the bodies into the sea. By some stroke of fate, they eventually arrived in Cuba, where the climate was primitive and very hot. There was little opportunity for religious practice, but many observant Jews on the boat banded together to create a living Torah community.
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Henrietta’s father worked as a diamond polisher, and she began her education in kindergarten, learning Spanish as her first language.
Henrietta’s mother had a tragic past; she had been taken away, and her father had returned to Germany, never to be seen again. In search of his missing wife, Henrietta’s father traveled to Germany and coincidentally met her mother while visiting a family for whom she worked as a nanny.
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Henrietta's mother imparted important life lessons to her children, often saying, “You don’t always get what you want, but you have to live with it. Appreciate and be happy with what you have.” This philosophy encompassed the essence of Simchas HaChaim, the joy of life.
From Cuba, the family moved to Kew Gardens, where they joined the Jewish community alongside Henrietta’s grandparents.
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Sadly, her grandparents passed away there, brokenhearted over the loss of their children. In Belgium, they discovered a two-year-old girl who had grown up in an orphanage. Henrietta's parents took her in and raised her as their own daughter. Henrietta's brother attended Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) rather than public school.
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Henrietta now lives in Jerusalem with her husband who started Ohr Sameach. From the six people in their family, there are now have 300 descendants.
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Henrietta Respler interview at Yeshiva Derech HaTorah - 2023-2024
Yeshiva Derech HaTorah
