Pontus, Charles
Pontus, Alida
Srul and Chaja Karwasser lived in Brussels with their daughter, Sylvia Ida. When the deportations of Belgian Jews began in the summer of 1942, they decided to part from their child in the hope of saving her life. She was first brought to a children's home, but when the presence of Jewish children at the home was brought to the knowledge of the Germans, the children were returned to their parents. The Karwassers became desperate to find a safe place for their daughter. One day, as Chaja was sitting in her kitchen crying with despair, Alida Pontus came to collect the rent. When she learned of the Karwassers' plight, she offered to take the child into her own home.
Charles and Alida Pontus lived in Avenue des 7 Bonniers in Forest (Brussels). In order to hide her identity, Sylvia was given the name of Irma Pontus. She called the Pontuses – who were 56 and 57 years old when she arrived at their home – "Grandfather" and "Grandmother," and became very fond of them.
Andrée Herscovici-Geulen* confirmed that Sylvia was one of the children taken into the charge of the Comité de Défence des Juifs (CDJ) and that her code number in the CDJ's clandestine lists was 1639. She also confirmed that she and other members of the CDJ would visit Sylvia intermittently, and that they noted that she was well treated.
Sylvia’s parents were arrested on 25 November 1942. Although they were supposed to be deported on Transport no. 18, they were taken off the train, and survived. "When the Germans arrested my parents, our apartment was emptied of all its possessions," Sylvia later recalled. "Mr. and Mrs. Pontus went to the apartment to see if they could salvage any of their belongings. They were able to find a photograph that had not been destroyed by the Germans. It was a picture of my father and me. The Pontuses put this picture on the wall above my crib. I was taught a little prayer by Mrs. Pontus, and said it each evening before wishing myparents 'good night'."
Syliva stayed with the Pontuses until Srul and Chaja came to take her home after the war. She continued to spend her vacation at her rescuers’ home until she and her parents emigrated to Canada in 1951. By that time, Charles had already passed away. Alida died one year later.
In 2000, Sylvia Karwasser-Goodman’s daughter Rachel turned to Yad Vashem with the request to have her mother’s rescuers honored as a gift for Sylvia's wedding anniversary.
On May 16, 2006, Yad Vashem recognized Charles & Alida Pontus as Righteous Among the Nations.