This past year marked the 25th anniversary of the Sobibor Foundation, but we didn’t dwell on it for long.
Although we all hoped for a quieter year in 2024, the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza remain ongoing. Polarization is increasing, and public discourse is becoming more intense. This was evident not only during the opening of the National Holocaust Museum, where the Sobibor Foundation was present, but throughout the year. It keeps us vigilant and casts a dark shadow as we remember the past and express our hopes for the future. We remain convinced of the need to continue sharing our message.
Sobibor commemoration
Fortunately, there was great interest in the June 1 commemoration at the Vondelpark. Beforehand, students from the Utrecht Theatre School performed “The Child is No More”, about the evacuation of the Central Israelite Orphanage in Utrecht in 1942. This performance was staged outdoors for the first time, a real challenge for director Gilles Groot. It’s heartwarming to see young people immerse themselves in the past, imagining themselves as the children of that time; it’s a beautiful way to add an extra dimension to remembrance.
Natascha van Weezel was our speaker. Her nuanced vision of a tolerant and inclusive society resonated with all. Her strength lies in staying true to herself while contemplating the world, thereby inspiring individuals to reflect on their personal contributions.
To mark the foundation’s 25th anniversary, we organized a gathering at the Blauwe Theehuis after the commemoration. This follow-up conversation proved valuable, fostering intergenerational connections. This post-commemoration gathering will now become a regular part of our events.
Holocaust education
This year, we also focused on strengthening our network. This enabled us to participate in initiatives led by the National Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism (NCAB) and the National Plan for Strengthening Holocaust Education. Our teacher program, part of our Aktion Reinhard Field Trip, aligns well with initiatives being developed and rolled out in January 2025.
We are also pleased with our new collaborations with the Anne Frank Foundation and the National Committee 4 & 5 May. They contributed to the program for the second youth reunion day at the National Holocaust Museum, organized for students who participated in the International Youth Conference in Sobibor. The international Anne Frank Youth Network in the Netherlands and the Young Impact Foundation were introduced to the students. These additions enrich the experiences gained from such trips. Many thanks to the Province of Gelderland for making this possible.
Governance
This year also saw a change in our board. We bid farewell to Fergal van de Wouw, who conducted a survey on the importance of youth trips to Sobibor and initiated efforts to strengthen our network. Thank you, Fergal. Sophie Bots, an enthusiastic young woman, has taken his place and will focus on youth policy. Welcome, Sophie.
In April, the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies organized an excellent international symposium on the archaeological finds in Sobibor and their significance. Two exceptional books were published on the topic. The poignant film “Deadly Deception at Sobibor” was screened at the Resistance Museum in conjunction with the symposium. The film, directed by Gary Hochman, documents the work of archaeologists Wojciech Mazurek, Yoram Haimi, and Ivar Schute since 2008.
During our annual commemoration of the Sobibor uprising, co-organized with the Resistance Museum, these topics were revisited. Erik Schumacher and Rosanne Kropman spoke about their respective books inspired by the Sobibor excavations. The event, newly titled “Sobibor: Resistance and Hope”, aims to appeal to younger generations to inspire attendance.
At “Sobibor: Resistance and Hope,” the Jules Schelvis Youth Award was presented to Tess Sluijs and Sophie Brinkhof from the Sint Maartenscollege in Voorburg. They created a research project on two survivors of the uprising, Selma Wijnberg from the Netherlands and Thomas Blatt from Poland. The jury commended ‘their fresh perspective, consistent approach, and unique storytelling about Sobibor’. Congratulations, Tess and Sophie, and thanks to jury members Jeroen van den Eijnde, Doede Sijtsma, and Maarten Eddes.
In April, the Sobibor Foundation participated in an international seminar on Aktion Reinhard in Lublin, Poland. Few people realize that Lublin was central to the Holocaust’s operations. The Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre organization is dedicated to preserving the memory of Lublin’s Jewish community before and during WWII.
At the invitation of board member Petra van den Boomgaard, I spoke at the May 4 commemoration organized by students of the University College Utrecht. These students also conducted remarkable interviews with survivors this year.
International
In 2024, we organized both the remembrance and the Aktion Reinhard fieldtrip journeys. Interest was so high that we conducted a second remembrance journey in the autumn. During this trip, participants were able to unveil their stones on the lane of remembrance. The foundation added 20 new stones, bringing the total to 410. It remains to be seen if the Sobibor Museum will allow more additions, but we continue our efforts.
Our social media presence has grown significantly, attracting international attention. As a result, we decided to publish an English newsletter several times a year and make our website bilingual.
Finally, looking ahead, April 8, 2025, will see the release of the long-awaited biography of Jules Schelvis by Cees Banning. We are also exploring the possibility of organizing our youth trip to Sobibor and creating a podcast. The podcast will be produced by Audiodroom, known for their series “Erased” about Anne Frank’s friend Ilse Wagner, who was murdered in Sobibor at 14. We aim to release this podcast in 2025.
A thank you to the board for all their work, and I look forward to 2025!
Christine Gispen-de Wied
Chairperson Sobibor Foundation
