Vera Waisvisz-Reiss papers

Document | Not Digitized | Accession Number: 2002.140.1

Overview

Description: Consists of correspondence and photographs relating to the Reiss and Duim families' experiences during and after the Holocaust in the Netherlands, especially Vera Reiss's experience as a hidden child with the Von Pelt family in Baarn, Netherlands. The papers include 39 photographs depicting Vera, her relatives, and her foster family, the Von Pelts, before, during, and after the Holocaust as well as eight letters and four postcards sent to Vera's parents.
Date: inclusive: 1924-1947
Credit Line: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Vera Waivisz-Reiss
Collection Creator: Vera Waisvisz-Reiss
Biography: Vera Reiss was born on March 5, 1942, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the only child of a Jewish couple, Salomon and Sophie Duim Reiss. Salomon, called Sal, was born on January 24, 1902, in Amsterdam, to Abraham Hartog and Vrouwtje Duyts Reiss. Abraham was born March 2, 1875, in London, to a Dutch family. He was a well-known and prosperous merchant and owned a textile business in the center of Amsterdam. Vrouwtje was born August 17, 1876, in Amsterdam. Sal had four siblings: Hartog, called Harry (b. 1900), Jacob, called Jaap (1905-1944), Lehman (1907-1943), and Elizabeth Jeannette (b. 1909). Vera’s mother Sophie was born on August 7, 1903, in Amsterdam, to Wolf and Keetje Meijer Duim. Wolf was born August 16, 1856, in Amsterdam. Keetje was born March 15, 1858, in Groningen. Sophie had a sister and two brothers: Jansje (1885-1943), Mozes (1896-1944), and Salomon (1898-1943). Their father Wolf died on January 11, 1911. Sal and Sophie were married on December 23, 1936. Sal was a literary editor and devoted much of his time to charitable organizations. Sophie’s mother Keetje died on December 1, 1937.

On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands. In 1941, Jews were required to register with the authorities. Large scale deportations to camps in the east began in summer 1942. In July, Vera’s father Sal allowed himself to be arrested, so Sophie and Vera would not be taken. He was sent to Westerbork transit camp. Sophie received a letter from her brother Salomon, who was also imprisoned in Westerbork. Salomon, his wife Rose Velleman (b.1904), and their daughter Kitty Jeanette (b. 1935) had gone into hiding, but they were betrayed and arrested. He wrote that Sophie should resist being arrested because of the terrible conditions, and that he was fearful of what awaited them. Soon after, German soldiers attempted to arrest Sophie, but she convinced them that she could not walk and that Vera was in poor health, so they let her go. Sophie decided to flee before they could be deported. For a short time, Vera and Sophie hid with Sophie’s cousin, Cato Duim, who married a non-Jew. In late 1942, Sophie and Vera were hidden separately. Vera, 9 months old, was placed in hiding in Baarn in Utrecht province with a Dutch couple, Hermanus Gerrit and Huberta Johanna van Wyngaarden Van Pelt. They were clients of Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. They also hid Abraham’s religious articles. Vera’s false name was Vrouwke Peters, but the Van Pelts called her Meiske, the Dutch word for girly. They said she was their niece who had survived the bombings. They lived near a large botanical garden where they would hide Vera if it seemed dangerous at home. They had a ladder which they hid nearby for this purpose. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. The war ended when Germany surrendered on May 7.
Soon after liberation, Vera was reunited with her mother Sophie. Vera suffered from malnutrition and was hospitalized for a while. Sophie moved constantly while in hiding, living under a false identity as a seamstress and housekeeper. Vera and Sophie returned to Amsterdam. Vera’s father Sal had been deported on December 8, 1942, to Auschwitz and died on February 28, 1943, in Auschwitz-Monowitz. Almost all of Vera’s extended family was killed in Auschwitz: her paternal grandparents Abraham and Vrouwtje on December 7, 1942; her paternal uncle Lehman on January 9, 1943; her maternal aunt Jansje on February 26, 1943; her paternal uncle Jaap on October 12, 1944; her maternal uncle Mozes on March 31, 1944; and Mozes’ wife Rebecca Troeder (b. 1896) and their children Sara (b. 1923) and Wolf (b. 1928) on October 22, 1943. Vera’s maternal uncle Salomon, his wife Rose, and their daughter Kitty were killed in Sobibor on July 16, 1943. Vera’s maternal cousin Benjamin de Vries survived the war. He was active in the Dutch resistance and was the editor of the underground newspaper Het Parool. Vera’s paternal uncle Harry and paternal aunt Elizabeth also survived. The family had left many valuable belongings, such as jewels and stamp collections, with friends before deportation or going into hiding, but few items were returned after the war.

Vera’s mother Sophie, 61, passed away on July 25, 1965. Vera married Herman Eduard Waisvisz, who was born on November 2, 1934, in Pangkalpinang, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), to Max and Eva Dejong Waisvisz. Herman’s family had fled the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies before the outbreak of war. Vera and Herman eventually immigrated to Canada, then the United States. They had a son, David (1967-2004). Vera remained in touch with the Van Pelts until their deaths, Hermanus circa 1960 and Huberta on December 10, 1970. Vera's husband Herman, 65, died on May 9, 2000.

Physical Details

Language: Dutch
Genre/Form: Letters. Postcards. Photographs.
Extent: 1 box

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: There are no known restrictions on access to this material.
Conditions on Use: Material(s) in this collection may be protected by copyright and/or related rights. You do not require further permission from the Museum to use this material. The user is solely responsible for making a determination as to if and how the material may be used.

Keywords & Subjects

Topical Term: Hidden children (Holocaust)--Netherlands. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Netherlands. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--Netherlands. World War, 1939-1945--Underground movements--Netherlands. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Netherlands.
Personal Name: Waisvisz-Reiss, Vera. Von Pelt, Hermanus. Von Pelt, Huberta. Reiss family. Duim family.

Administrative Notes

Holder of Originals: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Legal Status: Permanent Collection
Provenance: The papers were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Vera Waisvisz-Reiss in 2002.

Record last modified:: 2023-02-24 14:04:29
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn510984

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Also in Vera Waisvisz-Reiss family collection

The collection consists of baby clothes, bags, a mezuzah, a pin, a purse, a tallit, a tallit katan, tefillin, correspondence, and photographs relating to the experiences of Vera Reiss, a hidden child, and her family before, during, and after the Holocaust in the Netherlands.

Date: 1924-1947

Commemorative Star of David stickpin owned by a Dutch Jewish survivor

Object

Commemorative blue and white Star of David stickpin owned by Vera Reiss, who as an infant was placed in hiding in Baarn, Netherlands, from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the German authorities began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately in late 1942. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, who knew Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. She was given a false identity as Vrouwke Peter, their niece who had survived the bombings. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother, who survived in hiding with a false identity as a seamstress and housekeeper. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Tubular silver mezuzah saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Silver mezuzah used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The mezuzah and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. According to the Torah, every doorpost in a Jewish home should display a mezuzah, a parchment scroll with two chapters from Deuteronomy, including the Shema, a central prayer of Judaism. The scroll is put in a case to fasten it to the right doorpost. It serves as a reminder of the covenant of faith and a notice of an observant Jewish home. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Child’s striped knit wool cap with a tassel made for a hidden Dutch Jewish child

Object

Red, white, and blue striped knit cap made for Vera Reiss by her foster mother, Huberta Van Pelt, in Baarn, Netherlands, in spring 1945. Huberta made the hat in the colors of the Netherlands flag to celebrate their liberation in May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to live with the Van Pelts, who knew Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. Her mother assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Floral silk brocade tallit pouch saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Silk brocade tallit katan storage bag used by Abraham Hartog Reiss of Amsterdam. This tallit pouch and other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Colorful plaid dress worn by a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Plaid dress worn by Vera Reiss while living in hiding in the Netherlands from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, clients of Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. Her mother assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family were murdered in the Holocaust.

Light pink pajama set worn by a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Pink pajama top and pants worn by Vera Reiss while living in hiding in the Netherlands from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, clients of Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. Her mother assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family were murdered in the Holocaust.

Pair of tefillin with batim covers saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Pair of tefillin with batim covers used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tefillin and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Tefillin are small boxes containing prayers attached to leather straps and worn on the arm and the head by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Pair of tefillin saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Pair of tefillin used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tefillin and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Tefillin are small boxes containing prayers attached to leather straps and worn on the arm and the head by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Burgundy velvet tefillin pouch saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Dark burgundy tefillin storage pouch used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tefillin pouch and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Tefillin are small boxes containing prayers attached to leather straps and worn on the arm and the head by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Dark red velvet square tefillin pouch saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Dark red tefillin storage bag used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tefillin pouch and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Tefillin are small boxes containing prayers attached to leather straps and worn on the arm and the head by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Crocheted tallit katan saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Crocheted offwhite wool tallit katan worn by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tallit and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. A tallit katan is a religious garment worn by Jewish men with their daily dress. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Light pink sleeveless dress worn by a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Embroidered pink holiday dress worn by Vera Reiss while living in hiding in the Netherlands from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, clients of Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. Her mother assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family were murdered in the Holocaust.

Ivory colored leather purse saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Offwhite leather handbag saved with Vera Reiss, who as an infant was placed in hiding the Netherlands, from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, clients of Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. Her mother assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family were murdered in the Holocaust.

Purple striped cloth bag saved with hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Light purple striped tallit storage pouch used by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tallit bag and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

Reiss family papers

Document

The papers consist of letters, documents, postcards, and a newspaper clipping relating to the experiences of the Reiss family during the Holocaust in the Netherlands.

Baby blanket with an embroidered duck used by a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

Embroidered baby blanket used by Vera Reiss who as an infant was placed in hiding from late 1942 to May 1945. Vera was born in German occupied Amsterdam in March 1942. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations to camps in the east. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and their infant daughter. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately in late 1942. Vera, now 9 months old, was sent to Baarn to live with Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt, who knew Vera’s paternal grandfather Abraham. She was given a false identity as Vrouwke Peter, their niece who had survived the bombings. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated. Vera was reunited with her mother, who survived in hiding with a false identity as a seamstress and housekeeper. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.

White and black striped tallit saved with a hidden Dutch Jewish infant

Object

White and black striped tallit, or prayer shawl, worn by Abraham Hartog Reiss in Amsterdam. The tallit and his other religious articles were hidden with his infant granddaughter Vera Reiss. Vera was born in March 1942 in German occupied Amsterdam. That summer, the Germans began mass deportations. In July, Vera’s father Salomon allowed himself to be arrested, to spare his wife Sophie and Vera from deportation. Sophie and Vera went into hiding with Sophie’s cousin Cato and then were hidden separately. Vera was taken in by Hermanus and Huberta Van Pelt in Baarn, clients of Abraham's textile business. Sophie assumed a false identity as a housekeeper. On May 5, 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Vera was reunited with her mother. Abraham and his wife Vrouwtje were killed in Auschwitz on December 7, 1942. Vera’s father was killed in Auschwitz in February 1943. Most of Vera’s large extended family was murdered in the Holocaust.