Nov 14, 2024

This morning, we had a lovely tea with cousin Bert (see Chapter 46). This was our third time at his beautiful home here in Enschede. We had visited in 2018 and 2019 as well. I learn so much from Bert and I am inspired by him. He was a child survivor, hiding in thirteen different places. He still speaks about his experience in Germany and in the Netherlands. He told us he was part of the May 4 National Remembrance Day activities in Amsterdam this year. He laid a wreath with his granddaughter in memory of the Jewish, Roma, and Sinti people who were murdered during the war. We will see Bert again on Sunday in Meudt, where we originally met in 2018.

Next, we visited the synagogue where my father became a bar mitzvah. This building was completed in 1927 and it was cutting-edge architecture of the time. In the 1930s, with the influx of Jewish German refugees, there were as many as 1,800 members. Now there are about 35 members, too few to hold regular services. The building acts mostly as a museum, and there were a few school groups touring while we were there. See photos for additional details.

Finally, we visited my great-grandmother’s grave. Selma Herzfeld died on 7 May 1945. She had been liberated the prior month, but she died the day before the end of the World War II. She’s buried in Hengelo, a town about 20 minutes from Enschede. It occurs to me that this might have been the 3rd visit from a family member since my father and Oma moved to America in 1947: My father in 1991; us in 2018; and us in 2024.

I’m exhausted. Emotionally and, today, physically. I’m sure you are not surprised. We were too worn out to visit the farmhouse today. I’m hoping to get there tomorrow.

Welterusten! Lailah tov! Good night!

Featured photo: Inside the beautiful dome of the Enschede synagogue. The mosaic tiles are glass with gold leaf.

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