Paul Metsemakers: “The harsh reality”

Out of necessity, Paul shares his story via the telephone. He soon makes a very enthusiastic impression. At the end of the 1980s, the war touched him, at a birthday party of a fellow student. “I studied law and was a member of the student association for International Relations in Utrecht, together with many Jewish … Read more

Survivor Lea de la Penha: “Intense journey to Sobibor”

“Initially, I found it especially shocking that the life insurance policy of my grandpa and grandma was paid to me and my sister. It is bizarre to receive money from deceased family members. Perhaps they concluded this policy shortly before they died.” Herman and Esther de la Penha-Stibbe The grandpa and grandma of Lea, Herman … Read more

Foundation’s chairman Ernst Numann: “Hurtful stories”

There is a ring binder on the table that contains twenty-five detailed memorandums. The board of the Holocaust Foundation for Individual Insurance Claims Sjoa (SIVS) is meeting today to take a decision about these twenty-five memorandums. “Each memorandum represents a claim and tells the sad history of a Jewish family”, Numann explains. He randomly picks … Read more

‘COUNTER’ FOR JEWISH WAR POLICIES REMAINS OPEN FOR 5 MORE YEARS

Sjoa Foundation For Individual Insurance Claims (SIVS) has existed for 20 years and will remain open for five more years to deal with applications regarding robbed life insurance policies In November 1999, the Central Jewish Board and the Association of Insurers in the Netherlands agreed on an arrangement for the settlement of life insurance and … Read more