Baukje Britstra

Geslacht:	Vrouw
Vader:	Albert Britstra
Moeder:	Maria Willemina Bakker
Geboren:	6 Aug 1907	Veenhuizen, Norg
Aantekeningen:	Bokel Baukje (1907 - 1993 ) Personal Information Last Name: Bokel First Name: Baukje Maiden Name: Britstra Date of Birth: 06/08/1907 Date of death: 21/12/1993 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Gender: Female Place during the war: Harbrinkhoek, Overijssel, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Harbrinkhoek, Overijssel, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/2803) Commemoration Date of Recognition: 23/02/1984 Righteous Commemorated with Tree/Wall of Honor: Wall of Honor Ceremony organized by Israeli diplomatic delegation in: The Hague, Netherlands Rescued Persons Hes, Abel Rescue Story Bokel, Johan Bernard & Boukje (Britstra) In 1942 Michel Hes and his wife Ilse (née Bouscher, of Zwolle, Overijssel, started to look for places to hide for themselves and their two children. They succeeded in finding a place for themselves and for their eldest son and so Michel and the older child went into hiding while Ilse stayed at home with their youngest child, five-year-old Abel. When Ilse was told that her name was on the list for the next deportation via Westerbork, she immediately turned to Bernard and Baukje Bokel, also from Zwolle, for help. Bernard had worked in the Hes family business from 1920 until 1938 and he and his wife Baukje agreed to take Abel into their home. Thus, on August 17, 1942, Abel arrived there, where he remained until the liberation over two and a half years later. The Bokels, who did not have any children of their own, introduced Abel to people as Abje, their nephew whom they were caring for. By doing this, they were taking an enormous risk because Abel was from the same city as them and could easily be recognized as the son of a former local businessman. However, they believed it was their imperative as human beings. The Bokels treated Abel well and educated him as if he were their own child. He was allowed to play outside, even with other children. When Abel turned six his foster parents sent him to school to get a regular education. Baukje took him and brought him home by bicycle every day. After taking care of the child so well and for so long, they returned him, at the age of nine to his parents who had survived the war in hiding. Both families subsequently maintained close contact. On February 23, 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Johan Bernard Bokel and his wife, Baukje Bokel-Britstra, as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner:	Johan Bernard Bokel	geb. 27 Jan 1905
Huwelijk:	1935	Nunspeet