Cornelis Attema

Geslacht: Man
Vader: Siek Attema
Moeder: Hajedina Valkema
Geboren: 8 Aug 1919
Overleden: 8 Juli 1997
Aantekeningen: Personal Information
Last Name: Attema
First Name: Cornelis
Date of Birth: 08/08/1919
Date of death: 08/07/1997
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Gender: Male
Rescue
Place during the war: Oudehaske, Friesland, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: Oudehaske, Friesland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Hiding
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/2457)
Commemoration
Date of Recognition: 03/01/1983
Righteous Commemorated with Tree/Wall of Honor: Tree
Ceremony organized by Israeli diplomatic delegation in: The Hague, Netherlands
Ceremony held in Yad Vashem: Yes
Rescued Persons
Nieweg, Wolf, Magdalena, Mies
Akker
Rescue Story
Attema, Siek & Hajedina (Valkema) & Hendrik & Cornelis & Johan Wiebe
The Attema family lived in the village of Oude Haske, Friesland, and Joop Overdiep* was their connection to the underground movement that organized the hiding of Jews there. One night in February 1943, as planned, Joop brought Magdalena (Mies) Nieweg-Wolf of Appingedam, whose husband had just been deported, to their home. Her baby daughter Sara was in hiding with a young couple. However, in a departure from the plan, Joop also brought Leni Akker, a 19-year-old Jewish girl, who was the daughter of the Appingedam cantor. Her parents and her brother had been deported that day with the rest of the Jews of her community. The Attemas took in the girl and promised her refuge until a permanent place could be found for her. A few days later, the parents and the three sons decided that she could stay with them as long as was necessary, and treated Leni like a daughter and sister. Leni later recalled: "My upbringing was strictly Orthodox. However, Mr. Attema wisely persuaded me that since kosher food could not be found in wartime, according to Jewish law I was allowed to eat forbidden things in order to survive. The Attemas and their sons guided me with love and understanding through those dark years." Joop Overdiep and his wife, Teun, took care of financial practicalities such as ration cards, clothes, and money. They also made sure that Mies Nieweg was informed about her family and her daughter Sara.
On January 3, 1983, Yad Vashem recognized Siek Attema, his wife, Hajedina Attema-Valkema, and their three sons, Hendrik, Cornelis, and Johan Wiebe Attema, as Righteous Among the Nations.