Holocaust Survivor Recounts Life of Hiding and Resilience
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
An 85-year-old Holocaust survivor, hidden by a Dutch family during WWII, shares his story of resilience and remembrance. Born in occupied Netherlands, he was cared for by the Stockmann family, who were later recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. After reuniting with his parents, who survived multiple concentration camps, he returned to Germany to join the family business. He advocates for looking forward while remembering history and supports initiatives for Israeli-Palestinian understanding.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- An 85-year-old Holocaust survivor recounts his childhood spent in hiding in the Netherlands during WWII.
- He was hidden by the Stockmann family, who were later honored as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.
- His parents survived four concentration camps, including Bergen-Belsen, but rarely spoke of their experiences.
- He later returned to Germany, joined the family hop trade business, and supports remembrance projects.
- He advocates for looking forward while remembering history and contributes to Israeli-Palestinian understanding through his foundation.
An 85-year-old man, who survived the Holocaust by being hidden as a child, reflects on his life and the importance of looking forward while remembering the past. Born in the Netherlands in December 1940, shortly after the German invasion, he was entrusted to the care of the Stockmann family by his parents, who were fleeing persecution. The Stockmanns, who had emigrated from Germany in the 1920s, hid him for two years, presenting him as the grandson of their youngest daughter, Margret, who became his primary caregiver. The family had to move frequently due to their German origins.
His parents, who had survived four camps including Bergen-Belsen, eventually returned after the liberation of the Netherlands in May 1945. The reunion was difficult, as he no longer recognized them and had to be prompted to greet them. His parents, who never spoke about their Holocaust experiences, had their trauma manifest in physical ailments, such as his mother's arthritis from peeling potatoes in Bergen-Belsen. He was later baptized Catholic at age five, a decision made with the Stockmanns' agreement, and attended a Jesuit school.
Returning to his family's ancestral home in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1966, he entered the family's hop trade business. He notes that while confronting the Nazi past is crucial, excessive focus on it can hinder processing. He expresses dismay at the success of the AfD party but respects the democratic process, believing future elections in western Germany will yield different results. He actively supports remembrance projects, advocating for the recognition of Maja Stockmann and her parents as "Righteous Among the Nations" at Yad Vashem.
Despite his Jewish heritage through his mother, he identifies with his Catholic upbringing and baptism, stating that belief in good and living by it is more important than religious affiliation. He and his wife have established a foundation supporting elderly care in Nuremberg and promoting projects in Israel, aiming to contribute to Israeli-Palestinian understanding. He believes Israel has the right to defend itself against threats aimed at the destruction of Jews, emphasizing that what one makes of their life and how they treat others is paramount.