Letter from Anny van der Sluys to Hans Jolowicz, July 19, 1945

2024-09-04T12:25:30-04:00

Anny van der Sluys, a Dutch antifascist resistance member and humanitarian, informs Hans Jolowicz of the tragic deaths of his sister, Eva Jolowicz Schnell (1913-1944), and brother-in-law, Alfred Schnell (1900-1944). Alfred Schnell was a former colleague of Max Bredig (1902-1977).

In the early 1940s, the Schnells, both of Jewish descent, fled Berlin, Germany to the Netherlands to escape persecution under the Third Reich. They eventually went into hiding and were helped by many members of the Dutch antifascist resistance movement, including Anny van der Sluys, Caecilia Loots, and the Blaaw family. In late 1944, they were arrested, sent to the Westerbork concentration camp, and eventually murdered by Dutch Nazis in the town of Zwolle. They were buried in the Westerbork Cemetery and a memorial in their honor was later erected at the former camp.

In this letter, van der Sluys details her friendship with the Schnells from 1938-1944, her efforts to assist them, and ultimately, the steps she took to ensure their proper burial and remembrance.