Dientje Kalisky Adkins, daughter of Phillip and Evaline Hamel Krant, was born in 1938 in Bussum, Netherlands. She recalls fond memories of life before World War II in the small village not far from Amsterdam, where she and her parents lived over a store run by her father and his brother. She offers several happy tales about extended family members, including her maternal grandparents who lived in nearby Hilversum. Dientje remembers the German occupation of her hometown and tells the story of being sent into hiding by her parents when she was four years old. She describes emotionally and physically traumatic experiences while under the care of a harsh and abusive Catholic nun. By the time the war ended and her parents returned to claim her, Dientje was eight years old and had become accustomed to a new name and Catholic doctrine. The interviewee discusses the negative effects of the war on her psyche and the difficulties of returning to life in Bussum with her parents. The family grew to include a brother and an adopted sister. The Krants attended holiday services and Passover seders at the only synagogue in town. While her family was Orthodox, Dientje’s parents did not keep kosher, nor did they observe the Sabbath. After college, Dientje worked on an ocean liner caring for children in the nursery. She met her husband Leonard Kalisky while vacationing in Germany, where the Kingstree, South Carolina, native was serving on an American army base. They married in 1963 and raised three children in Charleston, South Carolina. The couple divorced after 25 years of marriage. Dientje discusses her emotional status and her outlook on life as a result of her childhood experiences. Note: the transcript contains additions and corrections made by Dientje during proofing.
This 1941 photograph was taken in Amstersam at the home of Edith Koster, Dientje's closest friend. It shows Dientje (left) and Edith (right), who died during the war.
This 1942 photograph shows Dientje Krant with her doll, Anneke Pop, while in hiding at Maatje LeFebre's house. The doll was the only item Dientje was able to keep during the war.
This 1964 photograph was taken at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and shows Vera with members of her family along with one of the nurses, Corrie Blauuw, who hid her during the war and her family. Also seen in the photograph is Nico Visjager, who was hidden with Vera during the war. Corrie protected the two children by claiming that they were her twins. Pictured, from left: Ans Nathans, Vera's mother; Vera Nathans; Corrie Blauuw; Corrie's unnamed sister; Corrie's unnamed niece; Nico Visjager, Vera's “twin” while in hiding; Mieke Nathans, Vera's sister; Hemmy Nathans, Vera's father.
