Janna Johanna de Bruin

Geslacht: Vrouw
Vader: Sake de Bruin
Moeder: Janna Johanna van Malsen
Geboren: 1900 Leiden
Beroep: onderwijzeres
Aantekeningen: Last Name: Horssen van
First Name: Janna Johanna
Maiden Name: Bruin de
Date of Birth: 07/04/1900
Date of death: 09/06/1982
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Gender: Female
Place during the war: Leiden, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: Leiden, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Hiding
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/2071)
During the war, Wijnand and Janna van Horssen sheltered Mendel Kramer, a chemical engineer, in their home in the vicinity of Leiden, South Holland. He stayed with them from September 1, 1943, until the liberation in May 1945. Wijnand and Mendel had been colleagues at the University of Leiden and when the Germans began deporting Jews in 1942, Wijnand immediately offered to hide Mendel in his family home. Mendel was initially hesitant because he was concerned that the van Horssens' two young sons, aged four and seven, would be unable to keep the weighty secret of his presence in their home. However, after hiding in two other places, which he was forced to leave, Mendel contacted the van Horssens and asked if the offer still stood. They immediately invited him into their home and, after a long discussion, decided that it was best not to tell the children about his presence. Mendel arrived at the van Horssens' home after the children were asleep one night. Thenceforth, he remained in a small room in the attic all day long and only came downstairs to sit with Wijnand and Janna after their children had gone to bed. Mendel was also forced to remain in the attic room in absolute silence whenever guests were in the house. Throughout Mendel's stay, Wijnand and Janna tried to make him as comfortable as possible, even though it was quite a strain on Janna to hide the fugitive's presence from her children. Even during the hunger winter of 1944--1945, Wijnand and Janna did not hesitate to share equally their limited food supplies with the houseguest.
On May 27, 1981, Yad Vashem recognized Wijnand Bastiaan van Horssen and his wife, Janna Johanna van Horssen-de Bruin, as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner: Wijnand Bastiaan van Horssen geb. 26 Juni 1903
Huwelijk: 24 Dec 1934 Leiden