I was born in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands as the youngest in a small family.

Learning as early as grade school about the Holocaust and WWII, this instantly got a grip on me.  Both my Grandfathers fought against the Germans as part of the Dutch army.

My maternal grandfather later was picked up by a roundup, the 'great roundup' in Rotterdam of 1944, and was taken to Germany for labor. He was later released and had to walk home through Nazi occupied Holland. My grandparents both suffered badly when in 1944/1945 Holland was struck by the severe 'hunger-winter'.

In this last year I found out even more about my family during World War II.

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Looking back I believe it's these things which created a foundation in me which would become a lifetime of learning and connecting to this period of history.

Throughout my life this was always there, although sometimes pushed to the background, by other temporary interests or life events. Also it became clear very early that it was the people's personal stories captivating me the most. 

 

In 2006 I moved to the US, and after several years of living in Milwaukee, WI,

I started exploring the community for any Jewish museums, or sites of interest.

Little did I know back then, where this would all lead.

 

Fast forward to 2024, now I have authored/self-published four books, lectured, created exhibits, met with survivors, visited Israel, became a collector, and became very connected to Jewish history, the people, the culture, and the Land of Israel, my Dutch roots during WWII and my own family history. Currently I am still discovering more stories of the Holocaust, Israel, WW II and it's victims, fighters and survivors..

 

I have been calling all of this 'my journey', but it really is my mission, my duty.

I feel I need to keep the stories alive of all those who perished, suffered, fought,

survived or triumphed. I am just honored and humbled to have been able to do what I

did , for the people I had the chance to meet, and the things I was able to accomplish.

 

I hope this journey will take me even further.

I really hope in the future at some point, to create and collaborate/join forces with an existing body to create something concrete. To teach, to honor and inspire.

I know I have a lot to offer and an admirable drive and passion and became very knowledgeable, but I am just a single individual who does everything on my own.

I don't have any funds, or locations or help to do what I do and wish to do.

If I were able to collaborate, this could possibly turn into something much bigger and could reach more people and hopefully strengthen the knowledge of history, 

grow respect for the people which had to live through the horrors and suffering of war,

while simultaneously instilling a pride of heritage and inspiration to fight for what you believe in, for the younger generations.

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Wim Leydes , January 2024