Harry & Sieny
Overleven in Verzet en Liefde
A narrative of survival, resistance and love during the Second World War.
View bookRemembering through stories
Esther Shaya is an Amsterdam-based narrative non-fiction author and historical researcher. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, she documents the stories of remarkable people, ensuring that their courage and resilience continue to inspire today and for generations to come.
Coming Soon
Angels of Amsterdam
How a Band of Brave Women Outsmarted the Nazis to Save 600 Jewish Children
The untold story of a Jewish daycare director who led one of the most daring rescue operations of World War II
Published work
Books
Esther Shaya’s books tell the story of a Jewish daycare in Amsterdam, and the remarkable individuals connected to it during the Second World War. Each book offers a different perspective on this daycare, and the stories of those who helped save hundreds of Jewish children.
Wacht Maar
Het veelbewogen leven van Henriëtte Pimentel
The biography of a life-long educator who saved hundreds of Jewish children during WWII
View bookAgenda
Upcoming events
Lectures, interviews and conversations about history, remembrance, and the stories behind Esther’s books.
Esther Shaya's writing is distinguished not only by its depth and precision but by its ability to bring the past vividly to life.
Dawn Skorczewski, PhD
Professor Emerita, Brandeis University
Meet the Author
Esther Shaya is an Amsterdam-based author, dedicated to preserving and sharing stories of the Jewish community in the Netherlands. She is the author of two acclaimed Dutch-language books, Harry & Sieny: Overleven in Verzet en Liefde and Wacht Maar; Het veelbewogen leven van Henriette Pimentel (with co-author Frank Hemminga). In early 2027, her newest book, Angels of Amsterdam, co-authored with Susan B. Katz, will be published by Hachette's Little, Brown imprint.
From 2015 until 2025, Shaya has served as a board member, editor, and author for the Jewish Houses Foundation, contributing to its annual publications that document the lives of Dutch Jewish families before the Second World War. She has written eight historical narratives for the foundation's book series.
Shaya has been interviewed on Dutch national radio and television and has spoken on numerous occasions in the Netherlands, the United States, and Australia. She lives in Amsterdam.
Read the full biographyContact
Contact Esther
Enquiries and invitations
For speaking invitations, interviews, literary events or general correspondence, please get in touch.