Jews in labor camps

Amsterdam, The start of the war
maart 1942

Jews were the new population of the labor camps; they were unemployed because of the regulations of the occupiers.

Halfway through 1942 the isolation of the Jews was a fact. On 26 June 1942, the Nazis notified the Jewish Council that Jews would be brought in to what was deceptively called “employment stimulation in the east.” Jews received summonses for this by mail. Reactions to this call-up differed: some went into hiding; others tried to arrange a temporary exemption through the Jewish Council; and still others decided to comply with the summons. For whoever didn’t report voluntarily could be picked up by the police and still be deported.

  • JEWS GO TO AMSTERDAM, AMSTELSTATION

    Jews got summons to be send out. Photo taken at the beginning of 1942. Imagebase WW2 - NIOD 96735

  • CAMP ERIKA, OMMEN

    Overview of barracks and tents of camp Ommen. Imagebase WW2 - NIOD 113694

  • BARBED WIRE BARRICADE

    Barbed wire barricade on the bridge at the ‘Oude Hoogstraat’, circa 1941. Collection Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam

  • SICHERHEITSDIENST – GERMAN SECURITY SERVICE

    SD officers check the identity of Jewish citizens on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Amsterdam, summer of 1942. Imagebase WW2 - NIOD 96950