Geertruida Groot

Geslacht: Vrouw
Vader: Jacob Groot
Moeder: Isabella Margaretha Bos
Geboren: 7 Apr 1922 Den Haag
Religie: Ned. Hervormd, geen
Aantekeningen: Last Name: Jozee
First Name: Geertruida
Maiden Name: Groot
Alias: GEERTJE
Date of Birth: 07/04/1922
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Gender: Female
Place during the war: The Hague, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: The Hague, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Hiding
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/4861)
Isabella Groot first met Mania Kats-Krell when they were both hospitalized in the maternity ward of the Zuidwal Hospital in The Hague. The two women became close friends. Mania gave birth to a son, Naphtali Salomon, on May 3, 1939. Unfortunately, Isabella gave birth to a stillborn child. In 1942, the Groots, who had a 20-year-old daughter named Geertruida (Geertje, later Jozee), tried to convince the Katses to go into hiding in their home. The Katses, however, believed that they could survive the ordeal of deportation and turned down the offer. They did, however, give the Groots their son Naphtali for safekeeping. In the citizen register, Naphtali's place of residence was changed to the Groots' address and he became their foster child. Initially, Naphtali continued to receive food coupons under his Jewish name although this endangered him and the Groots but they soon stopped this and bought food coupons for a large amount of money instead. The Groots lived in a big housing block where about 50 other families resided, among them some NSB members. They all knew that Naphtali was Jewish but he was never betrayed. Humanitarian principles and deep friendship with Naphtali's mother motivated the Groots to risk their life to help Naphtali. Mania and Emanual Kats never returned and Naphtali stayed with his foster parents, under the guardianship of his uncle, Leo Krell, until he completed his studies. He maintained a warm relationship with his foster family afterward.
On March 20, 1991, Yad Vashem recognized Jacob Groot, his wife, Isabella Margaretha Groot-Bos, and their daughter, Geertruida Jozee-Groot, as Righteous Among the Nations.