Broekema Eben

Broekema, Eben Haezer Reverend Eben Broekema was the minister of a Netherlands Protestant church in Heelsum, Gelderland, and lived in Leersum, Utrecht. In early 1943, Elfriede Cohn-Strauss, originally from Leipzig, and her husband, Adolph, both Dutch citizens, were hidden near Heelsum with the van Beek* family in Bennekom, Gelderland. Whilst there, Elfriedes and Adolph accompanied their hosts to church on Sundays. There, they witnessed a remarkable phenomenon. In addition to his prayers for the Dutch royal family, Reverend Broekema also prayed for the well-being of his Jewish compatriots in the presence of the entire congregation, which included members of the Dutch Nazi Party and, from time to time, German soldiers. The reverend was taking a risk, both for himself and for his congregation, in being so forthright, but he was not deterred. In addition to this boldness, Reverend Broekema helped take care of the Jews hidden in Heelsum and its surroundings. When he noticed the conditions under which the Cohn couple was living and the difficulty obtaining food for them, he urged the members of his congregation to donate food coupons and place them in the alms box instead of money. Broekema subsequently cycled to the couple’s hideaway at night to take them the collection, as well as two bags of wood for the stove. On Christmas Day, Eben arranged a complete festive meal, donated by the congregation for hidden fugitives. After the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, when all the residents of Heelsum and its environs were evacuated, the Cohns were able briefly to host the Broekemas (including their four children) in their room. During the war the reverend’s wife was also extremely generous to Jews. On July 29, 1968, Yad Vashem recognized Eben Haezer Broekema as Righteous Among the Nations.