January 17, 2014 we gathered at the church in Tilburg again. Coffee, tea and cookies were available along with the usual friendly atmosphere that the Dutch seem to delight in. Once everyone had gathered, about 50 people, we all put on our coats and wandered over to Bobby and Tineke’s old house. I noticed thatContinue reading “Laying the Stumbling Stones”
Author Archives: K Heidi Fishman
Why Bobby?
On the evening of January 16, 2014 I arrived in Tilburg. This small city in the southern province of Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands is home to a little over 206,000 people, more than 60% of whom are Roman Catholic. The next largest “religious” group are the atheists who make up about 20% of the population.Continue reading “Why Bobby?”
The Nazis Targeted the Disabled Too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8umFV69fNg The Jews were by no means the only victims of the Holocaust during WWII. The Nazis murdered physically handicapped people seeing them as useless and potential threats They were afraid that their genes would weaken the “master race.” Please watch this video. It shows mannequins made to match actual individuals with various physical differences.Continue reading “The Nazis Targeted the Disabled Too”
Theater Lesson
Upstairs in the Hollandsche Schouwburg is a small display. There are pictures, documents and letters from the 1940’s when the theater was used as a place to hold the Jews until they were transported out of Amsterdam. While we were visiting, there was also a school group there. From the students’ accents, I assume theyContinue reading “Theater Lesson”
The Hollandsche Schouwburg
The first day in Amsterdam Dave and I decided to do a little exploring in the “Jewish Quarter.” We went to the Jewish Historical Museum and the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Theater). It became know as the Joodsche Schouwburg when the Jews were no longer allowed to go to the same theater as the rest of theContinue reading “The Hollandsche Schouwburg”
Amsterdam
Coming home from Amsterdam today. Watch for updates on my adventure. It has been an exciting week with many, many emotions and discoveries. For example: laying the stumbling stone in for my mother’s uncle, dinner with the author of several Holocaust children’s books and the son of one of the guards at Westerbork, a visitContinue reading “Amsterdam”
What’s in a Name?
I’m getting ready to go to The Netherlands to do research. Two days ago I suddenly thought of a place I hadn’t considered visiting yet. My mother and her family went into hiding for a short time during the war. My mother had told me that they were hiding in the attic of Bobby andContinue reading “What’s in a Name?”
Acceptance Letter
Today I received my first “acceptance letter.” You might be thinking I am talking about a literary agent or a publisher. Sorry, nothing that bold as yet. Today’s letter came from the resident of one of my mother’s addresses during the war. I am preparing for a trip to The Netherlands to doContinue reading “Acceptance Letter”
Stolperstein and The Day of Judiasm
The Day of Judaism (January 17) is a day dedicated to Christian-Jewish reflection. The Roman Catholic Church in Italy started this day in 1990. I am not entirely sure of the history, but I believe it is intended to be a way for Christians to better understand the Jewish roots of their faith. In 1997Continue reading “Stolperstein and The Day of Judiasm”
Why I’m Writing about the Holocaust – Part 2
This is a powerful piece (click on the link below) by Naftali Bendavid that appeared in the Wall Street Journal last week. It is about the last survivors of the Holocaust telling their stories. According to the popular press there were only 100 child survivors of Theresienstadt. My mother was one of them. I don’t knowContinue reading “Why I’m Writing about the Holocaust – Part 2”
K Heidi Fishman (Popje and Me) 