In memory of my dear courageous Oma

Yesterday my oma (grandmother) was honoured posthumously. During an official ceremony she was awarded the title Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. This honorary title is awarded to non-Jews who risked their lives during the holocaust to save Jews. My oma risked her live to save the live of Alex Nathans or little Dikkie Duinroos as he was called back then. On the picture she is holding baby Alex.

Newborn baby Alex came to the farm in 1943 and stayed with my widowed grandmother and her twelve children until the end of the war. He called oma 'mother' and he had loads of big 'sisters' and 'brothers' who doted on the little boy. He simply became part of the family. The dangers involved in hiding him were never mentioned.

My oma risked her own life, freedom and safety and that of her family in order to save another life. Yet she did not want to be thanked, she did not consider herself to be courageous, let alone a heroine. She just considered it her obligation as a Christian to help a fellow human being in need.

The little boy grew up, got married and moved to Israel. He now has four children and six grandchildren of his own. He was grateful to my grandmother and first nominating an then awarding oma, was his way of saying thank you. A thank you for being there in times of need. Although everybody agreed that oma would thought the ceremony was unnecessary, seeing the big extended family together would have undoubtedly filled her heart with joy.

Alex, his wife and his children all attended the ceremony. Many of my Dutch family members were there and ten of my relatives even traveled from Canada to participate. When the three granddaughters named after oma received the medal with her name on it and the certificate of honour, I felt proud. Proud of my dear courageous oma, who made the future possible.