Alida Allegonda Balvers

Geslacht: Vrouw
Vader: Jacobus Balvers
Moeder: Vrouwtje Okx
Geboren: 13 Aug 1912 Amsterdam
Overleden: 12 Feb 1985 Amsterdam
Beroep: handwerkonderwijzeres
Aantekeningen: Last Name: Balvers
First Name: Alice Alida
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Gender: Female
Profession: HANDICRAFT
Place during the war: Amsterdam, Noordholland, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: Amsterdam, Noordholland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Supplying basic goods Arranging shelter Other
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/1201)
Rachel Nordheim’s husband, a doctor from Amsterdam, had many non-Jewish patients. When the Germans decreed that Jews were no longer permitted to work for non-Jews, he lost most of his income and Rachel decided to return to work. Before taking up her previous profession as a handicrafts teacher, she contacted some of her former students for advice. Only Alice Balvers assisted her. Alice went immediately to the Nordheims and took Rachel’s young children to a hospital where Jews were officially not allowed. Alice also took food to Rachel for her entire family as well as for their relatives and friends. Then Alice helped Rachel go back to work. When the Nordheims had to go into hiding, it was too late to carry out the plans they had made for their children. One of their daughters, Rivka Nordheim, was taken away by the underground and ended up with the Lutgendorff* family in Apeldoorn. Baby Nehemia spent a few days with the neighbors. In the meantime, the Germans took the parents and the two eldest children, Moshe and Batschewa, to Westerbork. Alice then took Nehemia to Ans Rijbroek (later Ans Nuttig-Disch*) in Naarden and, when Anton Reijbroek* had to go into hiding, Alice walked from Amsterdam to Naarden pushing a baby carriage full of food for the family. Alice simultaneously sent clothes and schoolbooks to the Nordheim children in Westerbork. Dr. Nordheim perished in Auschwitz and when, after the liberation, Rachel, Moshe, and Batschewa returned to Amsterdam, Alice greeted them at the railroad station. She took Rachel and the children to her sister, where they stayed until an apartment was found. Then Alice acquired furniture, kitchen utensils, and whatever else the family needed to rebuild their lives. For many years, even after Rachel and her four children had immigrated to Israel, Alice maintained close contact with them.
On September 7, 1977, Yad Vashem recognized Alice Alida Balvers as Righteous Among the Nations.