Amsterdam
-
When you first look at the picture, there may seem to be nothing extraordinary about it. However, even a brief glance into its history reveals just how remarkable it truly is. The photograph shows a Jewish male choir from the Great Synagogue in Amsterdam. It was taken in March 1942. Although the deportations of Dutch…
-
When reflecting on the persecution of Jews and others during the Holocaust, it’s tempting to judge those who stood by and did nothing, condemning their inaction and confidently asserting, “I would have acted differently.” However, the truth is, none of us can truly know how we would respond unless faced with the same horrifying circumstances.…
-
“In shadows deep where nightmares dwell,A chapter etched in history’s spell.Holocaust, your bitter tale,Of anguish, loss, and skies so pale. From ghettos choked with sorrow’s breath,To camps where darkness met with death,The human spirit, tested, tried,Yet hope, a flicker, never died. In ashes rose a solemn vow,To never forget, to honor howThe brave souls fought,…
-
Jules Frank was born on April 11, 1886, in Fijnaart. He was married to Flora van Beek. He worked as a butcher and was highly involved in the Jewish community. Together with his wife, he was forced to move to Amsterdam. They arrived there on April 15, 1943, and were taken to Asterdorp, a ghetto…
-
Dear Anne, You don’t know me, but I know you. In fact, nearly everyone knows you, and yet no one really knows you. We know you through the personal stories you wrote in your diary. We see each word, each letter and each paragraph, but we don’t see your hopes, your fears or your anxiety.…
-
Himmler, Seyss-Inquart and Rauter decided to set an example: the first round-up against Jews became a fact. On Saturday afternoon, 22 February 1941, a column of German trucks appeared near Waterlooplein,Amsterdam. The area was completely cordoned off. Young Jewish men were ruthlessly herded together on Jonas Daniël Meijerplein, in Amsterdam. On the following day, many…
-
It’s just a class of ordinary schoolchildren doing arts and crafts that doesn’t pose a threat to anyone. At first glance, it appears to be a regular photograph of school children, but if you look closely, you will see each one is wearing a star. The photograph from March 1943 was of the request of…
-
This is probably my most personal blog. I will not mention the names of the people involved, but I don’t think knowing the names is actually relevant. On June 13, 1991 the partially covered body of 18 year old Jessica R was found near a dump in Bergen op Zoom, in the province of Noord…
-
In November 1942, Fritz Pfeffer joined the Frank and Van Pels families in hiding, bringing the total number of people to eight. He was a solitary figure among two families and shared a room with the adolescent Anne Frank. Fritz was also a father—he had a son, Werner, with his first wife, Vera Henriette Bythiner.…
History of Sorts 
You must be logged in to post a comment.