Wooden spinning wheel used while in hiding in Belgium

Jean Iarchy is the son of Moise Iarchy (b. August 14, 1908) and Laja Grad (b. Feb. 14, 1909). He was born on May 4, 1939, in Antwerp, Belgium, where his father was a diamond merchant and his mother worked as an accountant. Jean's parents were affiliated with the Portuguese synagogue in Antwerp and were active in several Jewish community organizations. On May 10, 1940, shortly after Jean's first birthday, Germany launched a surprise attack on Belgium. The Iarchys tried to flee to the coast, but had to return to Antwerp. The Germans enacted anti-Jewish laws and confiscated Jewish property and businesses. By 1942, there were regular round-ups to deport Jews for forced labor. The Iarchys decided that Grad, Jean, and his grandmother should go into hiding. In the beginning of 1942, a member of the resistance, Eugene Cougnet, brought them to his castle, the Chateau de Bassin in Mean. There were approximately 60 other Jews already hiding there. His mother did not think it was safe and they left on October 24th, 1942, the day before the castle was raided by the Germans. With the assistance of another resistance member, Joseph Lebouttte, they were hidden in the home of Mlle. Pierre in Durbuy. Moise attempted to join them, but was arrested at the train station in Malines and deported on the XII convoy 713 on September 15, 1942. He threw a postcard from the train which reached his family; they received one more postcard, and then never heard from him again. He died in the labor camp, Golleschau, a subcamp of Auschwitz, on January 14, 1943. Jean, his mother, and grandmother lived in Durbuy for the remainder of the war. Laja supported the family spinning wool and knitting stockings and sweaters. In September 1944, they were liberated by the U.S. Army. They returned to Antwerp the following summer, in time for Jean to start school. Their rescuers, Eugene Cougnet and Joseph Leboutte, were recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. Laja died in Antwerp, age 71, on March 20, 1980. Jean continues to reside in Antwerp where he has a medical practice.

Laja Grad was born on February 14, 1909, in Belgium. She married Moise Iarchy, born on August 14, 1908, and they had a son, Jean, born May 4, 1939. They lived in Antwerp where Moise was a diamond dealer and Laja was an accountant. They were affiliated with the Portuguese synagogue in Antwerp and served on the Board of Jewish Welfare in Antwerp, as well as on the board of the Jewish Cemetery, Frechie Foundation, in Putte- Noord Brabant. On May 10, 1940, Germany launched a surprise attack on Belgium. The Iarchy’s tried to flee to the coast, but had to return to Antwerp. The Germans enacted anti-Jewish laws and ordinances restricting the civil rights of Jews and confiscating their property and businesses. By 1942, there were regular round-ups to deport Jews for forced labor. The Iarchy’s decided that Laja, Jean, and her mother should go into hiding. In the beginning of 1942, a member of the resistance, Eugene Cougnet, brought them to his castle, the Chateau de Bassin in Mean, joining about 60 other Jews who were hiding there. However, Laja did not think it was safe there and they left on October 24th, 1942. The next day, the German Gestapo raided the castle. With the assistance of another resistance member, Joseph Lebouttte, they were hidden in the home of Mlle. Pierre in Durbuy. Moise attempted to join them, but was arrested at the train station in Malines and deported on the XII convoy 713 on September 15, 1942. He threw a postcard from the train which reached his family; they received one more postcard, then never heard from him again. He died in the labor camp, Golleschau, a subcamp of Auschwitz, on January 14, 1943. Laja, her mother, and Jean lived in Durbuy for the remainder of the war. Laja supported the family spinning wool and knitting stockings and sweaters. In September 1944, they were liberated by the U.S. Army. They returned to Antwerp the following summer, in time for Jean to start school. Their rescuers, Eugene Cougnet and Joseph Leboutte, were recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. Laja died in Antwerp, age 71, on March 20, 1980.