Two Among the Righteous Few

By: Marty Brounstein

Can hope be found amidst tragedy?

Nestled in the hills on the western side of Jerusalem is a museum called Yad Vashem. There, people from around the world visit daily to learn about the tragic period of history from 1933 to 1945 known as the Holocaust. The museum serves as an education, research, and historical center in remembrance of the six million Jews across Europe who were murdered at the hands of the Nazi Party machine led by Adolf Hitler.

A special section of Yad Vashem is dedicated to those who carried out acts of courage to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust. Remembered there is a couple from Dieden of the Netherlands, Frans and Mien Wijnakker. Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust is the remarkable tale of how Frans and his wife, Mien, saved the lives of at least two dozen Jews in southern Holland during World War II. They were Catholics who led a simple life in a small town, but they took risks and displayed bravery to help others in dire need, instilling hope during one of the most horrific points of history.

About the Author

Marty Brounstein is the husband to one of the people that Frans and Mien Wijnakker saved. He is an author, speaker, and management consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marty has also been a human resources executive and started his career as an educator, with an emphasis on teaching history, including the Holocaust. His previous books include Communicating Effectively for Dummies, Coaching and Mentoring for Dummies, Managing Teams for Dummies, and Handling the Difficult Employee: Solving Performance Problems.