Summary
Highlights
Leo Ullman, born Leopold Ullman, describes his comfortable early life in Amsterdam with his wealthy diamond-cutting family and German father, who worked at a department store. In May 1940, Hitler's invasion of the Netherlands drastically changed their lives. Leo's family attempted to escape to England but failed, and the German occupation led to increasingly severe anti-Jewish decrees, including forced segregation, wearing the Jewish star, and confiscation of assets.
Leo's parents decided to go into hiding after his father received a deportation notice similar to Margot Frank's. Witnessing the brutal boarding of Jews into cattle cars convinced them to seek refuge. They found a hiding place in an attic in Amsterdam but could not take Leo with them. Through a sorority connection, a minister placed Leo with a couple in a suburb of Amsterdam.
Leo was briefly with the couple before being sent to an orphanage. The husband's father, a retired policeman, used his connections to retrieve Leo and bring him back to live with them. For two and a half years, Leo lived with this family, believing them to be his parents. He was kept inside, his hair dyed blonde to hide his identity. His biological parents, meanwhile, lived in a dark, confined attic with no facilities. After the war, the resistance helped reunite Leo with his emaciated parents, causing an emotional and confusing transition for the young boy.
Leo discusses his deep involvement with the Anne Frank story and his admiration for the new exhibit. He highlights the differences between his experience and Anne Frank's, noting that Anne and her family, being German, lacked the local support networks that many Dutch Jews had. He emphasizes that both stories share the common thread of individuals choosing to do 'the right thing' by helping others.
Leo stresses the critical importance of educating future generations about the Holocaust, particularly the government-orchestrated nature of the genocide. He underscores the significance of Meep Gies, who saved Anne Frank's diary, ensuring her story's survival. He notes that without Meep's actions, Anne's story would have been lost, just like many other victims of the Holocaust.
Leo praises the new Anne Frank exhibit in New York City, calling it 'fantastic' and a crucial educational resource. He explains that it makes Anne's story accessible to a broader audience, especially American students who might not be able to visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The exhibit offers a tangible and immersive experience that helps new generations understand this pivotal historical event.
Leo reveals that his parents rarely spoke about their wartime experiences until their 50th wedding anniversary when his mother wrote her story. Writing proved cathartic for them, leading them to speak at schools. Leo later wrote a book incorporating documents miraculously preserved from the war. Their survival was fueled by hope, and a silent vow not to discuss Leo, as it was too painful. External contact through the resistance sustained their hope.