Bella K. testimony 1983

Bella K. was born in 1909 in Amsterdam. She recalls her memories of the First World War. She explains the history of Jews in Amsterdam and describes the community. She describes her participation in a socialist youth organization. She describes antisemitism before the war and the rise of the National Socialist Movement [Nationaal Socialistische Beweging] in Holland. She married and had children. She recalls the day the war started. She describes caring for her children during air raids. Her family moved to Oud-Beijerland. She recalls rumours and information about what was happening to Jews in Germany. She describes increased anti-Jewish regulations. Bella explains how she and her husband were fearful because they had many socialist books and pamphlets in their home. She describes round-ups. She explains how her husband became a member of Landelijke Organisatie, which starting hiding people. She describes how her family hid a young Jewish girl. She explains their decision to help people and risk their lives. Bella describes her mother’s participation in the resistance. She discusses the underground resistance movement in the Netherlands in general. She describes the Hunger Winter, when less and less food was available due to military action and halted supply ships. She discusses the increased search for resistance members and how her husband would avoid being arrested. Bella describes how their family had to billet German soldiers for six weeks. Bella describes liberation by Canadian troops. She recalls people coming out of hiding and the increase of supply trains with food. She explains how her sons immigrated to Canada and convinced her to move as well.