UvA apologizes for firing Jewish staff during the war: 'Should never have taken this long'
The University of Amsterdam has unveiled a new memorial and issued a formal apology for the wartime dismissal of its Jewish staff. The university also updated its historical records to recognize dozens of additional students and employees who were killed during World War II.
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has unveiled a new memorial at the Oudemanhuispoort honoring 254 students and 28 staff members who perished during World War II. During the ceremony, the university issued a formal apology for the dismissal of its Jewish employees under the Nazi occupation, acknowledging that this rectification was long overdue. Among those remembered was Professor Herman Frijda, who was dismissed in 1940 and later murdered at Auschwitz in 1944. The university has updated his records in the Album Academicum to reflect his true employment status.
Following a historical investigation, the UvA updated its records to include previously omitted victims, such as resistance fighter Gerben Andries Lenstra and student Jetta Juliana van Gogh-Konijn. Researchers utilized archives from the university, the city, and international memorial institutions to document these losses. By correcting historical files and installing the new monument, the university aims to acknowledge past injustices and honor those who were stripped of their humanity and careers by anti-Jewish measures.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
