Nov 20, 2024 about Nov 7, 2024
I never got to write about my amazing first day of this trip. I was too jet-lagged, and the following day’s events in Amsterdam derailed me. So here goes.
First, some background from “Chapter 25: Hugo Slager.” The Slager family in Enschede, Netherlands helped our family by providing them with housing in 1939. Hilde Slager, my father’s first cousin, was married to Harry and they had a son, Max, together. Harry had two children from a prior marriage. My dad and Hugo, one of Harry’s sons, last saw each other in 1947, until they met again in Israel in 1991. See photos of Hugo with my father for more details.
I knew Hugo had a daughter, and I’ve been searching for her for years now. One day, my friend, Mark from NJ, approached a fellow congregant by the name of Slager to ask if he was related to Hugo. Thanks to Mark’s persistence (you rock, Mark!), I eventually connected with Hugo’s daughter, Yardeen. We arranged to meet two hours after I’d arrived in Amsterdam. This was an incredibly special way to begin my journey. Yardeen and I shared respective family stories, and I showed her the photos of our fathers. We posed for a similar photo. We decided to consider ourselves cousins. (Technically, we’d be step-second-cousins once removed, if there were such a thing.)
The evening of my first day, my kids and I were invited for dinner at the home of Michel and Roxani. Michel’s grandfather and great-grandfather hid my family during the war. We’ve met once before, and this meeting was even more special. We shared old photos, agreed to do more research, and felt deeply connected. We met with Michel’s sister, Evelien, the following week in Enschede. How absolutely wonderful to reconnect with this amazing family. They carry a powerful legacy, and I am happy to keep the story alive in their honor.
Featured photo: Addie, Josh, and me with Michel and Roxani at their home. Michel’s grandfather and great-grandfather hid my family in a barn attic for 2 ½ years.
[More posts to come. Stay tuned for: What Have I Learned?]
