A French national who spied on the Nazis will tell her tale of bravery and risk at the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral’s annual dinner next week.
Now 97, Marthe Cohn, is a devoutly religious Jewish woman born in Metz, France, just across the German border.
As the Nazi occupation escalated, Cohn’s sister, one of seven siblings, was sent to Auschwitz. The remainder of her family fled to the South of France, and Cohn forged her own path straight to the Nazis.
“It is rare that we have the opportunity in our lifetime to meet a heroine the likes of Marthe Cohn”, said Rabbi Yossi Labkowski, director of Chabad, which is coordinating her visit as part of the group’s annual fundraising dinner.
The dinner is Feb. 7 at the Westin Cape Coral Resort. Dinner, talk music and open bar costs $100 per person.
In 2002 Cohn wrote the memoir, “Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany”. An independent film, “An Unusual Spy” depicting her life is due out this year.
While the dinner typically draws up to 150 people, Labkowski is hoping for closer to 600, such as the 2014 dinner with the stepsister of Anne Frank.
“With the passing of time, the possibility to hear these stories firsthand grow smaller and smaller,” he said. “I encourage our community to come hear this remarkable woman tell her incredible story of courage & faith.”
Standing 4 feet, 11 inches, Cohn joined the intelligence service of the First French Army.
At 24, she posed as a German nurse trying to obtain word of a fictional fiance. After at least 13 failed attempts to cross the border, she approached troops sympathetic to her ‘plight’. After getting critical information for the Allied commanders, she crawled back across the Swiss border to relay the information to the French intelligence.
At 80, Cohn received France’s highest military honor, the Medaille Militaire. Not even her children knew what she faced in helping defeat the Nazi empire.
Now living in Palos Verdes, California, Cohn will have copies of her books for sale and will autograph them.
If you go
What: The Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral’s Annual Gala Dinner features Marthe Cohn, the author of her memoir, “Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany”. Evening includes music, open bar and dinner.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Where: Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Boulevard, Cape Coral
Cost: $100 per person.
Information: www.ChabadCape.com or 239-963-4770.