Beitske Bruinsma

Geslacht:	Vrouw
Vader:	Doede Bruinsma
Moeder:	Femkje Tymensma
Geboren:	7 Feb 1888	Lollum gem. Wonseradeel
Overleden:	2 Aug 1955	Groningen
Aantekeningen:	Last Name: Hoogsteen First Name: Beitske Maiden Name: Bruisma Date of Birth: 07/02/1888 Date of death: 02/08/1955 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Religion: CALVINIST Gender: Female Profession: FARMER Place during the war: Drogeham, Friesland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Drogeham, Friesland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/10072) Hendrik and Beitske Hoogsteen, both in their fifties, lived with their two children, Rienk, b.1926, and Femkje, b.1928, on their small family farm in the village of Drogeham (prov. Friesland). They were modest people and believing Calvinists (Gereformeerd). In June 1943, with the major roundup of Jews in Amsterdam for deportation, the Hoogsteens were approached by underground members to hide some Jews. As they were opposed to the German regime and the treatment of the Jews, they agreed, convinced it was their Christian duty to do so. Hendrik traveled to Amsterdam to get Leendert Porcelijn, thirty-one years old. Leendert's non-Jewish wife, Henderika, stayed in Amsterdam. When, two months later, Leendert's brother Salomon needed to leave his hiding address, he too was welcomed by the Hoogsteens. Again, one month later, in September 1943, the couple Wim Melkman and his wife Eva (née Polak), also from Amsterdam, joined the others in hiding with the Hoogsteens, as they too had to leave an earlier hiding address. All four Jews had to keep out of sight at all times. Both inside the house as well as in the field, special hiding places were prepared for them in case of searches. Danger was always around the corner, as the Hoogsteen farm was located along a canal road that was used as a traffic artery by the German forces. Beyond the continuous threat of discovery, life on the farm required a lot of adapting by the Porcelijn brothers and the Melkmans, all having been used to city life. Conditions on the farm were very basic, without running water or an inside toilet. Yet, all got along well and the Hoogsteens did everything in their power to make living conditions as bearable as possible. Extra food coupons and some money were delivered by underground couriers. Henderika Porcelijn, who visited her husband from time to time, brought eggs and butter back to Amsterdam, to be sold on the black market. In the course of 1944, the Hoogsteen son, Rienk, was ordered to report for forced labor in Germany but went into hiding instead. Even though danger to all was thus increased, the Hoogsteens were steadfast and insisted on keeping the four Jews with them. In March 1945, one month before the liberation of the area, a warning reached the Hoogsteens of an upcoming house search by police. Immediately, the Porcelijns, Melkmans as well as Rienk were hidden by various neighbors. As no search followed, they returned a few days later. During the Hungerwinter of 1944-1945, Henderika also came to the Hoogsteen farm, where food was available. In January 1945, a Porcelijn daughter was born, called Johanna Beitske, after Beitske Hoogsteen. The Porcelijns and Melkmans all survived and stayed in contact with the Hoogsteens until the latter passed away. On August 10, 2003, Yad Vashem recognized Hendrik Hoogsteen and Beitske Hoogsteen-Bruinsma, as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner:	Hendrik Hoogsteen	geb. 24 Apr 1889 overl. 24 MRT 1974
Huwelijk:	24 MEI 1924	Wonseradeel