The Israels family were cattle dealers. Roosje and her brother Jonas Israels lived according to the Jewish laws. On the shabbat a non-Jewish housemaid lit the furnace so they could cook their diner.
On 26 November 1942, the mayor of Zuidhorn received a telegram containing the order to arrest all Jews in Zuidhorn. They were to be sent to Groningen and from there onwards via the Central Station in Groningen sent to camp Westerbork on 28 November. The mayor refused to execute this order and came in contact with the local resistance. Roosje Israels however declined the offer to go into hiding. She had no guilty conscience and hadn't done anyone any harm.
In March 1943 Roosje Israels received a notification sent by the group-commander of the Military Police in Zuidhorn. She was told to prepare herself for leaving her residence. On 9 March, at 6.30 p.m., an ambulance brought Roosje and her brother Jonas Israels to Groningen. They were admitted to the Jewish elderly home Beth Zekeiniem at the Schoolholm in Groningen. On 11 March Roosje and her brother Jonas Israels were among ninety Jews brought to camp Westerbork.
Addition of a visitor of the website
In addition, a Jokos file (number 37728) on this household is at the Amsterdam Municipal Archive. Access is subject to authorization from the Stichting Joods Maatschappelijk Werk.