Discover Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg at a special Sydney book launch on 20 August 2026, exploring history, courage, resilience and remembrance.
As evening settles over Sydney's eastern suburbs this August, an audience will gather not simply for the launch of a new book, but for an encounter with memory itself. Conversations will turn towards stories that have remained untold for decades, family histories carried across continents, and the remarkable courage of ordinary people who found themselves living through extraordinary times.
Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg will invite readers into one woman's deeply personal journey through history, identity and remembrance. Hosted by the Sydney Jewish Museum, the evening will bring together literature, psychology and lived experience in a conversation that reaches well beyond the pages of a book.
For those attending, it will be an opportunity to hear how individual lives become part of collective history, and how the act of remembering can shape generations yet to come.
Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg Brings Hidden History Into Focus
History is often remembered through dates, battles and political figures, yet its deepest impact is carried through families and personal stories. Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg will illuminate one such story, tracing a path that begins in wartime Budapest before reaching suburban Sydney.
Born during one of Europe's darkest chapters, Frydenberg's life began on a street whose remarkable name – Do Not Forget Me – would later become the title of her memoir. Decades after leaving Hungary, she would return in search of answers surrounding her own survival and the overlooked heroism of her uncle, Nandor Eichel.
Known by some as one of the "Budapesti Schindlers," Eichel quietly helped save countless Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Yet, like so many acts of courage performed away from the spotlight, his contribution remained largely unknown for many years.
The book also honours internationally recognised rescuers including Raoul Wallenberg and Carl Lutz, while drawing attention to numerous lesser-known individuals whose compassion and bravery came at enormous personal risk.
Rather than presenting history as something distant, Frydenberg's work will reveal how its consequences continue to echo through families, identities and communities.
Stories That Reach Beyond the Past
Although grounded in historical events, Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg will also explore what happens after survival.
As both an acclaimed psychologist and academic, Erica Frydenberg brings a unique perspective to questions that continue long after conflict has ended. The book examines survivor guilt, resilience, coping strategies and what she describes as the "dignity of silence" – the complex decision many survivors made to protect future generations by saying very little about their experiences.
These themes remain deeply relevant today. Across cultures and communities, families continue to navigate inherited memories, untold stories and the lasting emotional effects of trauma.
Drawing inspiration from the work of Viktor Frankl, Frydenberg's reflections suggest that meaning can emerge even after immense hardship. Rather than dwelling solely on tragedy, the narrative will offer readers a thoughtful exploration of hope, purpose and the enduring capacity of the human spirit.
An Evening of Conversation and Reflection
The Sydney launch promises far more than a traditional author talk.
Erica Frydenberg will appear in conversation with respected journalist and author Michael Visontay, whose own work has explored family history and migration. Together, they will discuss the extraordinary research behind the book and the people whose stories inspired it.
Adding another personal dimension, former Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will introduce the evening, reflecting on his mother's remarkable journey and the significance of preserving family history.
The discussion is expected to move naturally between historical discovery, personal remembrance and contemporary relevance, allowing audiences to hear directly from those whose lives have been shaped by these stories.
Attendees who choose to bundle their ticket with a copy of the book will also have the opportunity to meet Erica Frydenberg and have their copy personally signed following the event.
Why Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg Matters Today
Memory is rarely static.
Each generation asks different questions of the past, searching for meaning through its own experiences. Books such as Do Not Forget Me Street by Erica Frydenberg help bridge that distance, connecting younger readers with histories that may otherwise fade from public consciousness.
The launch arrives at a time when conversations around remembrance, resilience and cultural identity continue to grow in importance. Institutions like the Sydney Jewish Museum have long provided spaces where these conversations can unfold thoughtfully, encouraging understanding through education and personal testimony.
Events such as this remind audiences that history is not preserved solely in archives or museums. It also survives through stories shared aloud, books passed between generations and moments when people gather simply to listen.
The evening will celebrate not only the publication of a new memoir but also the enduring importance of preserving voices that might otherwise be forgotten.
Event Details
Event: Book Launch – Do Not Forget Me Street: Remembering the Budapesti Schindlers by Erica Frydenberg
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Sydney (venue details will be provided to registered attendees before the event)
Tickets: $25 (Non-members) | $20 (Members)
Official Website: https://sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/book-launch-do-not-forget-me-street/
Registration: Essential. Ticket and book bundles are available, with signed copies offered at the event.