Dirk van Leenen Holocaust Survivor Presentation

Join us in the Terracotta Room at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 15^th for a rare chance to hear stories from a Holocaust survivor.  Hear award winning author Dirk van Leenen’s captivating life story of growing up in World War II, the invasion of Holland, and how history is repeating itself. He re-lives his father’s involvement in the “resistance”, how Dirk was a decoy, and the great escape from the last train to the concentration camp. 

Van Leenen’s parents hid more than 1000 Jews under the floorboards of their home in Holland.  They would be transported to over 40 hiding places in the country and then on to neutral countries.  In order to feed so many mouths, Dirk’s father had to transport counterfeit food ration cards and fake ID’s.  He distributed them by bicycle with young Dirk behind him, carrying the fake papers in hidden pockets in his clothing. His parents thought the German soldiers at the checkpoints would not search a child.  If it seemed they might, Dirk would cry and “make a racket” so the soldiers would waive them through.  

Ultimately, van Leenen and his parents were caught and sent by train to a concentration camp. Many died on the four-day train ride to Bergen-Belsen which had no food, water or toilets.  The day following their arrival, the camp was liberated, but not without losing several family members.

These stories and more will be told in van Leenen’s presentation, with time for questions and answers afterwards, as well as an opportunity to purchase signed copies of his books.