Holocaust commemoration at the Jewish monument Persijnhof in Wassenaar
On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the mayor and aldermen of Wassenaar laid a wreath at the Jewish monument in Persijnhof cemetery. This took place as part of the annual worldwide commemoration of the Holocaust. The commemoration was attended by members of the municipal council, representatives of the Stolpersteine working group, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Jewish Cemetery, and other interested parties.
On January 27, 1945, the Auschwitz extermination camp was liberated. This date is recognized worldwide as Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Wassenaar, too, people paused to reflect on the consequences of this history and on the Jewish villagers who were persecuted and murdered during World War II.
Bridging generations
At least 99 Jewish residents of Wassenaar lost their lives during the war as a result of the violence perpetrated by the Nazi regime. The theme of Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026, Bridging Generations, underscores the importance of passing on memories and stories, now that the distance to the war is growing and eyewitnesses are becoming increasingly scarce. Remembrance is therefore not only about looking back, but also about taking responsibility for the present and the future.
Mayor Leendert de Lange emphasized this in his speech: “The Holocaust affects not only the past, but also the present and the future. By continuing to name names and tell stories, we give meaning to remembrance. Now more than ever, it is important to speak out against anti-Semitism, exclusion, and discrimination, and to remain vigilant against indifference.”
Personal stories from Wassenaar
During the commemoration, personal stories closely connected to the Jewish cemetery in Wassenaar were shared. Mr. Jan Leuiken and Mr. Bert Dreese, board members of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Jewish Cemetery, provided these contributions. Mr. Leuiken reflected on the history of the cemetery and its significance for Wassenaar, while Mr. Dreese spoke about the graves and the personal stories behind the people who found their final resting place here. The musical interlude was provided by Ms. Houtsmuller and Mr. Kanter.
After a prayer, the council laid a wreath at the monument on behalf of the municipal council. Flowers were then laid in memory of the victims. With this commemoration, the municipality of Wassenaar emphasizes the enduring importance of remembering and passing on stories as the foundation for freedom, tolerance, and humanity.
