Eben Haëzer Broekema

Geslacht: Man
Vader: Jan Broekema
Moeder: Gijsbertha Geertruida Groeneweg
Geboren: 30 Nov 1899 Lausanne, Zwitserland
Overleden: 30 Juni 1982 Leiden
Religie: Ned. Hervormd
Beroep: predikant
Aantekeningen: Last Name: Broekema
First Name: Eben Haezer
Date of Birth: 30/11/1899
Date of death: 30/06/1982
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Religion: PROTESTANT
Gender: Male
Profession: PASTOR
Place during the war: Heelsum, Gelderland, The Netherlands, Leersum, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: Heelsum, Gelderland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Supplying basic goods
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/483)
Reverend Eben Broekema was the minister of a Netherlands Protestant church in Heelsum, Gelderland, and lived in Leersum, Utrecht. In early 1943, Elfriede Cohn-Strauss, originally from Leipzig, and her husband, Adolph, both Dutch citizens, were hidden near Heelsum with the van Beek* family in Bennekom, Gelderland. Whilst there, Elfriedes and Adolph accompanied their hosts to church on Sundays. There, they witnessed a remarkable phenomenon. In addition to his prayers for the Dutch royal family, Reverend Broekema also prayed for the well-being of his Jewish compatriots in the presence of the entire congregation, which included members of the Dutch Nazi Party and, from time to time, German soldiers. The reverend was taking a risk, both for himself and for his congregation, in being so forthright, but he was not deterred. In addition to this boldness, Reverend Broekema helped take care of the Jews hidden in Heelsum and its surroundings. When he noticed the conditions under which the Cohn couple was living and the difficulty obtaining food for them, he urged the members of his congregation to donate food coupons and place them in the alms box instead of money. Broekema subsequently cycled to the couple’s hideaway at night to take them the collection, as well as two bags of wood for the stove. On Christmas Day, Eben arranged a complete festive meal, donated by the congregation for hidden fugitives. After the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, when all the residents of Heelsum and its environs were evacuated, the Cohns were able briefly to host the Broekemas (including their four children) in their room. During the war the reverend’s wife was also extremely generous to Jews.
On July 29, 1968, Yad Vashem recognized Eben Haezer Broekema as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner: Marijtje Tukker geb. 11 MRT 1906 overl. 1 Feb 2003
Huwelijk: 16 OKT 1929 Achtkarspelen