Infant’s vest with decorative pink stitches made for a baby by his mother while in hiding 2012.242.5 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
Hand stitched baby vest made by 20 year old Lennie Kropveld Jedwab for her infant son Aaron, who was born in September 1943, while in hiding in Aalten, Netherlands. When Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, Lennie was living with her parents, Aaron and Bertha Kropveld. Aaron insisted that Lennie and her fiance, Rabbi Yitzchak Jedwab, get married in July 1942 before going into hiding together at a farm in October 1942. Her parents and four brothers went into hiding at two other farms. When Aaron was twelve hours old, they placed him in the custody of the Dutch resistance. He was hidden in the home of Jan and Dela Wikkerink, resistance members with eight children of their own. Jan was imprisoned for his involvement with the resistance and broken out of jail, for which the Germans set his house on fire; however Dela saved Aaron. Aalten was liberated by British forces in March 1945 and Lennie was reunited with her two and half year old son. Lennie’s parents and siblings also survived in hiding. Lennie, Yitzchak and Aaron emigrated to the United States in 1948.
Hand stitched baby vest made by 20 year old Lennie Kropveld Jedwab for her infant son Aaron, who was born in September 1943, while in hiding in Aalten, Netherlands. When Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, Lennie was living with her parents, Aaron and Bertha Kropveld. Aaron insisted that Lennie and her fiance, Rabbi Yitzchak Jedwab, get married in July 1942 before going into hiding together at a farm in October 1942. Her parents and four brothers went into hiding at two other farms. When Aaron was twelve hours old, they placed him in the custody of the Dutch resistance. He was hidden in the home of Jan and Dela Wikkerink, resistance members with eight children of their own. Jan was imprisoned for his involvement with the resistance and broken out of jail, for which the Germans set his house on fire; however Dela saved Aaron. Aalten was liberated by British forces in March 1945 and Lennie was reunited with her two and half year old son. Lennie’s parents and siblings also survived in hiding. Lennie, Yitzchak and Aaron emigrated to the United States in 1948.
- Title: Infant’s vest with decorative pink stitches made for a baby by his mother while in hiding 2012.242.5 front
- Provenance: The infant’s vest was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2012 by Lennie Kropveld Jade., The infant’s vest was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2012 by Lennie Kropveld Jade.
- Subject Keywords: Hidden children--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Netherlands--Aalten--Personal narratives. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Jews--Rescue--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--Netherlands--Aalten--Personal narratives., Hidden children--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Netherlands--Aalten--Personal narratives. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Jews--Rescue--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust--Netherlands--Aalten--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--Netherlands--Aalten--Personal narratives.
- Type: Clothing and Dress, Clothing and Dress
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Discolored white cotton knit cloth sleeveless baby’s vest with decorative pink thread cross-stitched at the neck and armholes. The neckline has a silky tie string with frayed ends that is threaded through a channel made by folding the cloth over and stitching it closed on the exterior, keeping the inside smooth. The front opening edges are hand-stitched with offwhite thread; the bottom hem is machine sewn. The vest appears to be made from part of an undershirt., Discolored white cotton knit cloth sleeveless baby’s vest with decorative pink thread cross-stitched at the neck and armholes. The neckline has a silky tie string with frayed ends that is threaded through a channel made by folding the cloth over and stitching it closed on the exterior, keeping the inside smooth. The front opening edges are hand-stitched with offwhite thread; the bottom hem is machine sewn. The vest appears to be made from part of an undershirt.
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