Jozef Weitman. Collection

Abraham Manaster (1910–?) was a key figure in the Jewish resistance movement in Belgium during World War II, particularly recognized for his efforts in rescuing and hiding Jewish children. Born in Dobromil, he emigrated to Belgium, where he became actively involved in the Jewish Defense Committee (C.D.J.), an underground organization dedicated to saving Jewish lives during the Nazi occupation. As a member of the C.D.J., Manaster was responsible for organizing the rescue and placement of Jewish children in hiding, often collaborating with other resistance figures such as Ida Sterno and Andrée Geulen. These children were hidden in homes, orphanages, and sometimes religious institutions, often under false identities to avoid detection by Nazi authorities. Manaster himself narrowly escaped deportation on several occasions. In 1942, after escaping from a labor camp in Northern France, he returned to Antwerp and resumed his resistance work, focusing on securing false identity papers and food ration stamps for Jews in hiding. His clandestine efforts, supported by contacts within local Belgian institutions, contributed to the survival of many Jewish families. In addition to his wartime activities, Manaster’s post-war contributions include the establishment of a Jewish orphanage in the Generaal Drubbelstraat in Berchem in 1946. This orphanage, which served as a safe haven for children who had lost their families during the Holocaust, stands as a testament to his continued commitment to the Jewish community after the war. The orphanage was named "Maurice Finkelstein Foundation" and operated with the support of the local Jewish population. In later years, Manaster was recognized for his efforts. He was awarded medals and other forms of acknowledgment for his role in saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

On 23 September 2024 Jozef (Jos) Weitman permitted Kazerne Dossin to digitize all items in this collection.

Jozef (Jos) Weitman