Hekker Elisabeth (Scheurer)

Hekker, Elisabeth (Scheurer) Rivka Bedak (later Schaap), a Jewish woman, was an active member in resistance activities with the outbreak of the war. However, as measures against Jews intensified she had to go into hinding. Elisabeth Hekker-Scheurer of Leiden, South Holland, saved her life when she welcomed her into her home from mid-1943 until mid-1944. In mid-1944, when many Dutch citizens believed that the war was coming to an end, Rivka left her hiding place and resumed her resistance activities, searching for weapons to use against the Germans. She was arrested at one point but was released on September 5, 1944---Mad Tuesday when the south of Holland was liberated---after three months in prison in the city of Utrecht. Elisabeth Hekker-Scheurer was a widow and she and her family acted out of humanitarian principles. On March 15, 1995, Yad Vashem recognized Elisabeth Hekker-Scheurer as Righteous Among the Nations.