The Israels family were cattle dealers. Jonas and his sister Roosje lived according to the Jewish Laws. On the shabbat a non-Jewish housemaid lit their 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 to camp Westerbork on 28 November. the mayor refused to execute the order and came in contact with the local resistance. Jonas Israels most likely declined the offer to go into hiding.
In March 1943 Jonas Israels and his sister Roosje Israels received a notification sent by the group-commander of the Military Police in Zuidhorn. He was told to prepare himself for leaving his residence. On 9 March, at 6.30 p.m., an ambulance brought Jonas and his sister Roosje to Groningen. They were admitted to the Israelitic elderly home Beth Zekeiniem located at the Schoolholm iin Groningen. On 11 March Jonas and his sister werde among ninety Jews brought to camp Westerbork.
Addition of a visitor of the website
In addition, a Jokos file (number 18498) on this household is at the Amsterdam Municipal Archive. Access is subject to authorization from the Stichting Joods Maatschappelijk Werk.