Simon den Hartog was involved in a number of social associations in Sliedrecht. Around 1916 he was involved with the fire brigade in Sliedrecht. In the nineteen-thirties he was a member of the 'Sliedrechtse Middenstands Vereeniging' and was a member of the local council of Sliedrecht.
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Simon (Siem) den Hartog began in 1894 near the Boslaan in a small building opposite his shop which he opened in 1910. This drapery shop became a place with great allure and style especially fort hat time, the nineteen- thirties. In Sliedrecht people talked about "the shop of the Jew Hartog”. Indeed, there was also a large, non-Jewish family Hartog in Sliedrecht. Siem den Hartog was for some time president of the board of the Jewish community. He also was a member of the board of the Orange Association and co-founder of the ‘hospital help’. From 1923 to 1935 Siem was member of the local council. The first eight years for the Liberals and the remaining years for he "Sliedrecht Interest”, a political party founded by him. He was re-elected twice, in 1927 and 1931. During the installation of mayor Popping in 1931 Siem was deputy mayor.
Siem had four daughters and two sons. His son Siem died young. In the war Siem did not go into hiding. He did not want to bring helpers in danger. On Saturday 5 September 1942, between 13.00-13.30 hours the dike between the Boslaan and the Wiel was blocked. Some armed German SD had entered his shop. The family quickly had to put clothing in a suitcase. First father Siem den Hartog came out of the house, followed by the other familymembers, Hendrijntje, Sara Mietje and Sophia. When Siem den Hartog had to board the police van, he waved with his hand to his neighbours and shouted: "See you again, goodbye, Sliedrecht."
J.A. Batenburg, Sliedrecht in oorlogstijd 1940-1945 (Sliedrecht, 1994)
W.Bos Jzn., Sliedrecht, een dorp van wereldvermaardheid (Zaltbommel, 1968)
Kwartaalblad van de Historische Vereniging ‘West-Ablasserwaard’, jrg 6, nr. 2 (april 1987)
Bart Wallet, Sliedrechts Israël. Een onderzoek naar de geschiedenis van de Kehillo Kedousjo Sliedrecht –een tussenbalans (Leerdam, 1995)