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1941 Jews allowed to do and less

The dispossession of the Jews

Kalverstraat 72-80
City centre
Kalverstraat 72-80
City centre [+] Enlarge map [-] Reduce map
Etalage van Gerzon in de Kalverstraat, 1942 © Stadsarchief Amsterdam

The Aryanistion of Gerzon Fashion Store

There are many Jews employed by the Gerzon brothers in their fashion store. At the beginning of the war three Jews; Arthur Marx, Jules Eduard Gerzon en George Hecht are in charge of the business. On 12 February 1941 they receive a letter informing them that the business will be taken over by a Verwalter. The same day Marx, Gerzon and Hecht have to step down and are replaced by; F.W. Schönherr, Germans Knut and Wolber and NSB member Th. van Anrooy.

After the February Strike all Gerzon’s Jewish employees are dismissed. 300 of them do not survive the war. Manager Julius Eduard Gerzon is allowed to leave for Portugal but only if he hands his shares in the business over. He refuses, but still leaves for Portugal in 1942 where he arrives in December sick and destitute. He dies in a Lisbon hospital.

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The dispossession of the Jews

The Nazi occupier weakens the position of the Jews by taking away their work, money and possessions. Early on Jews are no longer able to own their own businesses, work for non-Jews or have bank accounts. After the deportations their houses are emptied of their possessions.

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1938 Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

Many Jewish refugees flee to the Netherlands after Kristallnacht. Princess Juliana also feels connected to the Jewish community. But while more attention is drawn to the admittance of more Jews, NSB members threaten more intervention.

1938  Many Jewish refugees after Kristallnacht

1940 Amsterdam occupied

Nothing changes too much for the Frank family in the beginning. Opekta moves to the Prinsengracht. During air raids bombs cause death and injury in Amsterdam.

1940  Amsterdam occupied

1941 Jews allowed to do and less

It starts with a cinema ban but rapidly Jews are banned from virtually all public places. Jewish children must attend separate schools. This also applies to Anne and Margot Frank.

1941  Jews allowed to do and less

1942 It becomes more dangerous for Jews

On her thirteenth birthday Anne Frank receives a diary. A few days later she writes about the situation in Amsterdam. The introduction of the Jewish star and the raids. In July the Frank family goes into hiding.

1942  It becomes more dangerous for Jews

1943 Deportations and attacks

While the Frank family is in hiding thousands of Jews are deported from Amsterdam. The resistance tries to hinder the deportations by attacks including one on the Public Registry. It doesn’t stop them.

1943  Deportations and attacks

1944 Discovered and arrested

On 4 August the people in hiding in the secret annex are discovered and arrested. From Westerbork they are taken to Auschwitz. When the Allies land in the south of the Netherlands there is hope that the country will be liberated. German soldiers and NSB members flee the country after Dolle Dinsdag (‘Mad Tuesday’).

1944  Discovered and arrested

1945 Joy and sadness

A celebration at the Dam on 7 May is ruined when people are killed after German soldiers shoot at the crowd. On 8 May Amsterdam is officially liberated. Otto Frank returns. He knows that Edith is dead. He only hears later that his two daughters have not survived.

1945  Joy and sadness

1946 Slowly the threads are picked up again

On 3 May 1946 the first official commemoration for those who died during the war is held. Anne Frank’s diary is published on 25 June 1947. Life in Amsterdam slowly gets back to normal. Of the 70,000 Jews who lived in the city in 1940 only 10,000 have survived the war.

1946  Slowly the threads are picked up again

1950 Lasting memory

Even five years after the liberation the reverberations from the war are still clearly noticeable. The Jewish community thanks Amsterdam for the help given to Jews with a monument.

1950  Lasting memory
  • 1950

  • To those who protected the Dutch Jews during the years of the occupation. Protected by your love. Encouraged by your resistance. Mourning with you.

    Part of the citation on the monument ‘Jewish Gratitude’
  • picture:Once a year, two minutes silence

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Bird’s eye view of Anne Frank’s Amsterdam

View the most important places with their story from Anne Frank’s Amsterdam. Click to the Timeline and see how Amsterdam changed from being a safe haven in 1933 to an occupied city. Zoom in by clicking on the plus sign on the left. This way you can click more easily on the places on the map