Testimony of Silvan Brakhfeld, born in Antwerp in 1932, regarding his experiences in Bois de Villers village and a convent in Hodimont

Testimony of Silvan Brakhfeld, born in Antwerp in 1932, regarding his experiences in Bois de Villers village and a convent in Hodimont Family in Antwerp; religious life, attending an Agudat Israel school; expulsion of Jewish refugees to Germany in 1939; German occupation ensues in 1940; escaping toward the French border; sent back to Antwerp by the Germans; pogrom in Antwerp; torching of Torah scrolls; various strictures imposed; the yellow star decree; obtaining false documents from members of the Belgian resistance; denunciation triggers hunt for false documents by Gestapo operatives; father taken to Munich; father transferred to Bismarckhnuettte camp; father dies in Bismarckhnuettte camp; escaping to villages in the Bois de Namur area; changing name to Silvan; obtaining help from the French resistance; life in Bois de Villers village; moving to a farm near the village with a postman’s help; living with a couple who would be recognized as Righteous among the Nations, with help from a member of the resistance; transfer to a convent in Hodimont; back to the couple; liberation by American forces; attending school in the village; the Germans return; escape to American-controlled Charleroi; Germans retreat; back to Antwerp; post-war life; emigration to Brazil, aliya to Israel in 1974; adjustment to life in Israel.