Koops Albert & Aukje (Hoks)

Koops, Albert & Aukje (Hoks) High school student Jacques Butterteig (later Yitzhak Nir) was living in Maastricht, Limburg, with his parents and brother when he was admitted to the hospital in November 1942. While he was there, his family was deported to Auschwitz, where they perished on February 26, 1943. Jacques, meanwhile, received a visit from Arie van Mansum*, who convinced him to go into hiding immediately. In early 1943, Jacques was taken to the home of Simon and Annie Spinder*, near the village of Treebeek. In January 1944, a neighbor became suspicious and Arie rushed the young fugitive to Albert and Aukje Koops in nearby Brunssum, Limburg. Albert Koops worked at a glass-making plant and he and his wife had two young children. Like the Spinders, the Koopses were devout Calvinists in a predominantly Roman Catholic area. They understood the risks they were taking, but felt it was their Christian duty to help Jacques, whom they treated like a member of the family. Arie provided ration cards until he was arrested and then his sister took over. Jacques remained with the Koops family until the liberation in September 1944. On January 2, 1969, Yad Vashem recognized Albert Koops and his wife, Aukje Koops-Hoks, as Righteous Among the Nations.