Lisa was born to a Jewish family who lived in a town about three miles from the German border. Her family had lived there for generations. Lisa's father exported geese to Germany, and her mother owned a fabric store. The family lived with Lisa's grandmother in a large, single-level, gray stucco house. Lisa attended a small Hebrew school in Raczki.

1933-39: In 1937 I transferred to a public school. One day, in fifth grade during recess, some boys grabbed my long blonde hair. Others joined in and pinned me to a wall. They spread my arms, saying, "We'll crucify you like you crucified Jesus." I cried and told my mother I was afraid to return to school. War began on September 1, 1939. We headed east by horse and buggy. I took along a scrapbook full of my childhood mementos.