JOK (Joodse OorlogsKinderen)

Association of Jewish War Children - The Netherlands

The association of Jewish War Children was founded in 1994 at the initiative of various Jews with different backgrounds, born in the years before the war, and having experienced the war as a child.

Membership

JOK is an association for everyone who was a child during the Second World War, born between May 10th 1919 and August 15th 1945, who has at least one Jewish parent.

Hidden children, children who were interned in German or Japanese camps, children from mixed marriages, and also children who lived abroad during the war years, and supposedly “have not experienced anything” are welcomed as members.

Program

JOK aims at creating an open and save environment where people from similar backgrounds can meet each other and can talk openly about matters that involve their experiences and their feelings

JOK wants to make it possible for its members to form a social and cultural network in which giving and receiving friendship and understanding is an important issue.

JOK is an organisation made for and by its members. Everyone can participate in the organisation, either actively or passively. The participation can be structural or once only, for instance by organising a meeting on a specific subject.

One may also join one of the working groups. Each working group organises activities on their own subject. Regularly there are meetings where friends and family are welcome so that members of various age groups are able to meet and mix while taking part in JOK programs.

At present the following working groups are active:

CULTURE

This group organises cultural activities usually with a Jewish interest: visits to, exhibitions, concerts or lectures.

LECTURING

Members of this group visit schools and give lessons on the link between the Second World War and the present (JOK members who do this work have followed a specific training).

READING GROUP

Together the participants make a choice of the books they would like to read. After reading they discuss the books in the group.

NEWS BULLETIN “WAFFEL”

This involves writing, editing and publishing the news bulletin 3 or 4 times a year.

TRADITION

Members of this group organize and prepare the Jewish feast-days which are a highlight in the yearly JOK program.