Paats Juliana

Paats, Juliana Martina Taal, Johanna Philippina Juliana Paats, a registered nurse, had moved from her native Leiden to Apeldoorn, where she was running a nursing home for the elderly together with her friend and assistant Johanna Taal. When the Germans ordered such institutions to hang a sign reading “Jews Prohibited,” she refused to comply. In March 1943, Juliana with the support of Johanna hid some Jews in the home, including Simon Kan, who remained there until he passed away in December 1944, aged 88. During the war, Juliana also found hiding places for Simon Kan’s immediate family: his daughter and son-in-law, the van Sons, and their young daughter, Hetty (later Hetty Joels-van Son). She also hid a Mrs. Boers who gave herself up when her husband was caught. Through their connection with the Protestant pastor Reverend Nawijn*, Juliana and Johanna were introduced to the Leverpoll family of Apeldoorn: father, mother and two daughters, six-year-old Johanna (Hannie) and two-year-old Henriette. When Mr. Leverpoll was caught and transported to Westerbork in 1942, Mrs. Leverpoll (de Leeuw) was taken in temporarily by Juliana and Johanna. Since there was insufficient space for everyone in the home, Juliana found separate hiding places for mother and children. Henriette was taken to Juliana’s sister, Mrs. Mens (Paats) in Leiden. She looked after Henriette until the end of the war. Hannie was taken to another sister, Mrs. Kors (Paats) also in Leiden. She was hidden there until it became unsafe for her to stay any longer. Mrs. Leverpoll was taken to the Millaard family in Leiden, where she hid until the end of the war. While they were in hiding, Juliana and Johanna acted as intermediaries between the separated family members. Juliana also provided food coupons and arranged false identity papers. On May 20, 1968, Yad Vashem recognized Juliana Martina Paats as Righteous Among the Nations. On January 2, 1969, Yad Vashem recognized Johanna Philippina Taal asRighteous Among the Nations.