Marie was born in Paris and lived there until she was 12.  Ten days before war broke out in Europe in 1939, she and her parents and 3 brothers left for Australia. They had met an Australian, Mr Segal, a tobacconist who convinced them to come to Melbourne, a lively Jewish centre. They arrived and started a knitting and embroidery factory on Flinders Lane. She has an inquiring mind, a thirst for learning and works to give back to the community that welcomed them. “The most important thing is family, justice and charity”. It’s tenacity, resilience and endurance that embodies what is unique about being Jewish, she says. She’s been involved with the Jewish Museum as a guide, at Mt Scopus and NCJWA (Vic)for many years.