Boonstra Jan & Griet (Betten)

Boonstra, Jan & Griet Sophia Grunwald-de Beer of Rotterdam owes her life to the generosity of Jan and Griet (Grietje) Boonstra. A prewar business associate of Sophia’s brother-in-law Jacques Wallage, had arranged for the Boonstras to host Sophia and her husband, Salomon, in their home in Haulerwijk, Friesland. Sophia and Salomon came to the Boonstras after their previous hideout in Groningen, had become suspect. Sophia’s parents were already in hiding with the Boonstras and Sophia’s sister Martha and her husband, Salomon Israels, as well as his brother Maurits, were already in hiding with Jan’s brother, Theunis, and his wife, Hiske, in Donkerbroek. Not a single person outside the family was aware that the home was being used as a safe house. However a razzia took place in the village, with 20 men from the Landwacht plundering the area. The Boonstra farm was searched. Jan and one of his sons succeeded in fleeing without getting caught as they were out after the curfew time. Sophia (or Pietje as she was known then) was also away from the farm with one of the Boonstra daughters. They too managed to escape to safety by speaking Frisian, the language of the province, which disguised their origin. They managed to arrive safely at Theunis and Hiske’s farm. Salomon, however, was not so fortunate. He was caught, arrested, and taken to Westerbork and then later to Auschwitz, where he perished on January 4, 1945. On July 7, 1986, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Boonstra and his wife, Griet Boonstra, as Righteous Among the Nations.