A BOOK by ME in Hollywood - An Actor's Story
Ava Goodson, age 10, of East Moline, Illinois was born with Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair or a walker. With limited fine motor skills, Ava became an avid reader at a very young age. She loves to research after reading a book, so she got a laptop early as well. Since she can't run and play, she does more reading and researching than most kids.
For two years, Ava hoped to meet a Holocaust survivor whose story she could write. Finally, it happened when she was in Los Angeles and met Curt Lowens, 89. Curt is a Hollywood actor who has had roles in movies such as Torn Curtain, Angels & Demons and a recurring part on General Hospital.
Lowens, a German Jew, was forced during World War II to flee to the Netherlands, where he joined the Dutch Resistance. He is credited with saving 125 Jewish children by delivering them to families who hid them. He also assisted in the rescue of two downed American Army Corps flyers before the Nazis could reach the crash.
It was at a Yom Kippur service at the Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills where Curt’s friend Sharon Farber felt moved to bring his journey to life through music. "The rabbi brought Curt to the stage and told his unbelievable, remarkable story. Afterward, the children and grandchildren of one of the pilots that he saved came on stage. The pilots had passed, but it was such an emotional moment, so inspiring to see these people who wouldn't even exist if Curt hadn’t saved their fathers."
Sharon’s music was titled "Bestemming" and Ava knew the word was important to him. Ava made an art piece and wrote the word on it. It means “purpose.” When he arrived, Curt surprised Ava with a teddy bear she promptly named "Curt". He was very impressed by the questions she asked in the interview and laughed heartily at the book title she chose. Broadway Ben because Curt's first acting job was on Broadway and his code name when he worked in the Dutch Underground was Ben.
When Curt left, he picked up Ava’s hand and kissed it like in the movies. Ava said she wanted to grow up and marry a perfect gentleman like Curt. Broadway Ben was illustrated by the talented Katy Leigh Babcock, granddaughter of Dr. Maxine Russman, a member of the Holocaust Education Committee of the Greater Quad Cities.
Note: Ava is the author of another book titled Peaches and Wheelchairs which she wrote when she was 8.
