Johan van Hulst, Who Helped Save 600 Children From the Nazis, Dies at 107 (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

In the spring and summer of 1943 in Amsterdam, Johan van Hulst was at the center of a daring scheme to save Jewish children from being sent to a concentration camp.

The children — from infants to 12-year-olds — had been taken from their parents at a deportation center and brought by nursery workers to a nursery next to the teachers’ college where Mr. van Hulst was the principal.

The rescue plan was simple but risky: the children were surreptitiously handed over a hedge between the nursery and the college and hidden in a classroom until they could be smuggled to the countryside by Dutch Resistance groups.

Mr. van Hulst is credited with helping to rescue as many as 600 children.

Full Obituary

 

[zblang]

These are such inspirational stories to come out of such a horrible event.
Thanks for sharing

 

[jazzeum]

There are -- and were -- people who try to make a difference in small ways.

 

[zblang]

I read that the kids Nicholas Winton saved are now numbering over 10,000 in descendants. Small differences can become huge differences with time.

 

[nysoldiers]

Unfortunately there weren't enough heroes like him during WWII including at the highest levels of government.
Even today we need more people who will stand up to evil. Look at "Doctors Without Borders" and the "White Helmets"
in Syria who are trying to save civilians while under horrible conditions.

 

[Larry Allen]

A very good read, Brad.
It is both a wonderful but sad story at the same time.

I have never hears of Johan van Hulst, but it makes me wonder about the 100's or possibly 1000's of people who contributed incredible acts of bravery and humanity what we may never know about.

Thank you from bringing this one to light for me.

---LaRRy