Language:
English
Year of publication:
2009
Titel der Quelle:
Shaanan
Angaben zur Quelle:
14 (2009) E23-E40
Keywords:
Molen, Gesina H. J. van der
;
Beekman, Anneke
;
Jewish children in the Holocaust
;
Holocaust survivors
;
Church history 20th century
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
In 1943-44 Gezina van der Molen (1892-1978), a female Protestant activist and a member of the resistance in the Netherlands, made great efforts to save Jewish children by hiding them with Christian foster parents. After the liberation of the country, she was no less devoted to preserving the "Christian identity" of the rescued children. In 1945-49 she headed the Commission for War Foster Children (OPK) and, in this capacity, prevented the return of children to their surviving relatives or even to their parents. Churches, including the Catholic Church, also took part in these efforts. Examines the case of Anneke Beekman, born to an Orthodox Jewish family, who was adopted by a childless Catholic couple and was not returned after the war to her Jewish relatives. Examines the motives behind van der Molen's activities both before and after the war. Beside the wish to rescue human beings, the motive of the baptismal "saving of children's souls" played a role in the activities of van der Molen and other non-Jewish members of the OPK.
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