Our first stop in the Netherlands the study tour group went to a little town called Elburg. This town was significant for our journey overseas because in this town stands the house in which Maud Dahme, a child Holocaust survivor whom accompanied the group on our trip, was hidden.The town of Elburg was rebuilt in 1296 and is still in the same form today. The group was able to walk around the town, in which Maud had played in as a child, and take in the experience of what it would have been like to be around at the time of the Holocaust in this very town. As you walked around the town certain houses obtained a metallic star on the side of its front door. These stars indicated that a Jew once lived there during the time of the Holocaust. However, the house in which Maud was hidden did not obtain a Jewish star. Maud explained that there was no star on the house because at the time she was not considered a Jew. Her identity of being a Jewish person was covered up by being raised Catholic by a family whom she did not know. Maud's parents went into hiding while Maud and her sister stayed with several different families.
After visiting the town of Elburg we then ventured off into the woods where a hidden village once stood. This village had about 150-200 Jewish refugees living in it. They carefully built their houses halfway underground, and each housing unit contained a family. One day two young boys were out gathering water when two German officers spotted them. The boys ran towards th
e village to warn the people while the officers ran to gather more troops. Later on that day the town was invaded by the Germans. Everyone except for 6 people were able to escape. The ones who didn't were forced to dig their own graves and were then killed by the Germans.The village no longer stands but three replicas were built as a memorial. Also, there is a plaque right before the village as a reminder and memorial to those 6 people whose lives were lost.
Finally, we were taken to a home on a farm. This was another house in which Maud Dahme was once hidden in before being taken to Elburg. Since that time, relatives of the family that hid Maud no longer own this home, but the people who do are kind enough to let Maud come back and visit. The house is not exactly what it looked like when Maud was hidden there, but some original rooms do remain. She even pointed out to us that, what is now the owner of the houses' closet was once where her bed was. After giving a brief tour of the home we were taken outside to listen to some of Maud's stories. She shared with the group how she had to hide in the field with her sister with nothing but an umbrella to put over their heads. They were told to stay very quiet, but that did not last for long. Maud's sister was scared and began to cry. She was so loud they decided it was not such a great idea and took them back inside. The stories made the entire trip to the Netherlands come to life for us.
After visiting the town of Elburg we then ventured off into the woods where a hidden village once stood. This village had about 150-200 Jewish refugees living in it. They carefully built their houses halfway underground, and each housing unit contained a family. One day two young boys were out gathering water when two German officers spotted them. The boys ran towards th
e village to warn the people while the officers ran to gather more troops. Later on that day the town was invaded by the Germans. Everyone except for 6 people were able to escape. The ones who didn't were forced to dig their own graves and were then killed by the Germans.The village no longer stands but three replicas were built as a memorial. Also, there is a plaque right before the village as a reminder and memorial to those 6 people whose lives were lost.Finally, we were taken to a home on a farm. This was another house in which Maud Dahme was once hidden in before being taken to Elburg. Since that time, relatives of the family that hid Maud no longer own this home, but the people who do are kind enough to let Maud come back and visit. The house is not exactly what it looked like when Maud was hidden there, but some original rooms do remain. She even pointed out to us that, what is now the owner of the houses' closet was once where her bed was. After giving a brief tour of the home we were taken outside to listen to some of Maud's stories. She shared with the group how she had to hide in the field with her sister with nothing but an umbrella to put over their heads. They were told to stay very quiet, but that did not last for long. Maud's sister was scared and began to cry. She was so loud they decided it was not such a great idea and took them back inside. The stories made the entire trip to the Netherlands come to life for us.
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