Righteous unto the nations
Over het leven van Erica Moen-Deen
Over het leven van Erica Moen-Deen
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The commonly held belief was “that <strong>the</strong> Dutch were good to <strong>the</strong> Jews”. But I found, contrary<br />
to that view. For it was <strong>the</strong> local government authorities, collaborators and <strong>the</strong> forced<br />
actions of <strong>the</strong> Joodsche Raad (Jewish Council) in Amsterdam who had directly or indirectly<br />
facilitated <strong>the</strong> destruction of 8 out of 10 of Holland’s Jewish citizens. While this represented<br />
<strong>the</strong> worst case of genocide in all of Western Europe, <strong>the</strong> Dutch people far exceeded <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
European neighbour’s efforts when it came to protecting its Jewish citizens.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> case of my mo<strong>the</strong>r’s family, it was <strong>the</strong> Protestant Christians who followed <strong>the</strong> teachings of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir bible that (Jews were <strong>the</strong> chosen people and must be protected) and took a lead. At <strong>the</strong> risk<br />
of certain death, <strong>the</strong>y facilitated arrangements to locate, transport, hide, comfort and feed many<br />
Jewish people.<br />
I have been fortunate enough to meet <strong>the</strong> relatives of those that saved my mo<strong>the</strong>r’s life. I<br />
make special mention of Wolter Keers who on <strong>the</strong> 17 May 2012 facilitated an opportunity for<br />
Ruth (my wife) and I to visit <strong>the</strong> places in Holland where my mo<strong>the</strong>r was hidden and to speak<br />
with representatives of those being recognised by Yad Vashem at this ceremony.<br />
At Lemeleveld farm I saw <strong>the</strong> location where my mo<strong>the</strong>r had hidden, to escape capture<br />
under a small straw bale “cubby”. After our walk around <strong>the</strong> farm we were very fortunate to<br />
enjoy a lunch hosted by Geerhard and Hanneke Kleinlugtebeld. That experience, 70 years<br />
after my mo<strong>the</strong>r’s escape from certain death, allowed me to join toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> pieces of<br />
information ga<strong>the</strong>red over <strong>the</strong> past 20 years, formalise nomi<strong>nations</strong> and ultimately attend<br />
today’s ceremony with my family.<br />
I acknowledge <strong>the</strong> work of Steven Spielberg who founded <strong>the</strong> “Survivors of <strong>the</strong> Shoah Visual<br />
History Foundation”. In 1996 that organisation visited Perth, Western Australia and recorded<br />
my mo<strong>the</strong>r’s story.<br />
Recognising Cornelis and Maria Keers, Piet and Stien Visser, Jan and Gon Keers, Hendrik<br />
and Mina Grootemarsink, Dinnie and Jan van Zutphen as “<strong>Righteous</strong> Unto <strong>the</strong> Nations”<br />
brings some closure to my family. It provides me with significant comfort that <strong>the</strong> deaths of<br />
my Aunty Rebecca and Uncle Harold will never go unnoticed.<br />
Erica and Klaas Moen prospered in Australia and <strong>the</strong> family has grown from 3 children to<br />
4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and with ano<strong>the</strong>r 2 on <strong>the</strong> way. This new life<br />
is testament to those who saved Erica and confirms <strong>the</strong> statement echoed in <strong>the</strong> opening<br />
words of this booklet “whosoever saves a single life: saves an entire universe”.<br />
Martin Moen<br />
PAGE 6<br />
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.