That changed in October 1942, during a major raid in the three northern provinces. Many Jews were taken away, others fled and did not return. Despite the fact that Herman Braaf built his life in Israel, he still thinks back to his friends in Drenthe every year.
“Yeah, sure. Because it’s emotional. Emotional because every year I ride with those kids, with my friends on that train. I talk to them. I encourage them.” along’. So in my mind.” But also in his mind, Braaf is the only one who returns. “They all stayed. No one came back.”