Benjamin (known as Bennie) van Gelder was in 1912 married to Rebekka van Leer, daughter of Leman van Leer and Vrougje Roos. The couple had eight children: Anna Regiena, Aron, David, Eliazer, Leman, Rijna Elizabeth, Vogelina and Roosje Vrougje. The family lived in Meppel.
Benjamin van Gelder owned a shop that sold fruit, smoked fish and other foodstuffs. In 1910 he sold the shop and became a book and antique vendor; on Sundays he sold chocolate bars and other sweets at the football field.
Benjamin was a fervent supporter of the SDAP political party and the VARA broadcast network, although he was loyal to the Dutch monarchy as well. He hung his flag out on 31 August, the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina. He also attended the synagogue regularly. On 3 October 1942 Benjamin van Gelder, his wife Rebekka van Leer and their children Anna Regiena, David, Rijna Elizabeth, Rozetta and Vogelina were fetched from their home and deported to Auschwitz via Westerbork.
His sons Aron and Eliazer had been summoned to the labour camp Linde on 17 August 1942, from where they were deported to Auschwitz via Westerbork.
Benjamin van Gelder and his family's last address was at 1 Parallelweg in Meppel. After the war various items from the Meppel synagogue were found in the attic. Benjamin had stored them there.
Th. Rinsema, ’Vermoord en vergeten‘, Oud Meppel. Mededelingenblad van de Stichting Oud Meppel jrg 24 (2002) nr 3, 21-22
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