I conducted a tour for 4 women. Els Fokersma and Johanna are Dutch sisters, non-Jewish. Dina is a Dutch born Jew. Dalia is Dina's Jewish daughter.
Dina lived with her Jewish parents in Holland at the beginning of World War II. When her parents realized their family might be sent to a concentration camp, they arranged with their non-Jewish neighbors to temporarily adopt their daughter Dina. They took off Dina's star of David identification. Dina moved in with the neighbors, whose daughters were Els and Johanna.
Dina's parents and grandparents were taken away. She never saw them again. Dina, age 9, lived with the Bakkers for 3 years. At age 12, after the war ended, she left her "adopted" family and moved to Palestine.
They have maintained contact with each other. Johanna and Els came to Israel to visit Dina this year. Johanna is the second daughter in her family, and she calls Dina her second sister, along with her blood sister Els. Dina said the family put their lives at risk to save her life. She and Dalia wouldn't be here without the Bakkers.
Els Folkersma Bakker, Johanna Bakker, Dina Friede, Dalia Friede-Bork
Their story and love for one another was truly one of the most touching tour experiences we have had here.
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