“Because we’re Jewish, my father immigrated to Holland in 1933, where he became the managing director of the Dutch Opekta Company, which manufactures products used in making jam.”
- June 12, 1929 – February/March 1945
- German-Dutch
- Diarist, Holocaust Victim, Symbol of the Human Cost of War and Persecution
table of contents
Quote
“Because we’re Jewish, my father immigrated to Holland in 1933, where he became the managing director of the Dutch Opekta Company, which manufactures products used in making jam.”
Explanation
In this quote, Anne Frank provides a factual and personal account of her family’s response to the rise of Nazi power in Germany. Her father’s decision to emigrate to Holland in 1933—the year Adolf Hitler came to power—was a direct consequence of increasing antisemitic persecution. The phrase “because we’re Jewish” reflects the tragic reality that religious identity alone could determine one’s safety or survival in that time.
Anne’s reference to the Dutch Opekta Company adds a layer of normalcy and detail, grounding her family’s life in a practical, civilian context before they were forced into hiding. Her father’s role as managing director also highlights his resourcefulness and commitment to building a secure future for his family in exile. This background sets the stage for understanding the gravity of their later circumstances—how a respectable, working family was systematically pushed into the margins of society due to racial laws.
Today, Anne’s recollection remains a reminder of how discrimination can upend ordinary lives, forcing families to flee, rebuild, and hide. It underscores the human cost of intolerance and authoritarianism, and how those seeking refuge are often simply trying to live in peace and contribute meaningfully to society. Her personal narrative continues to humanize the historical tragedy of the Holocaust, making its lessons both urgent and enduring.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
