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Johannes Kleiman was born on 17 August 1896 in Koog aan de Zaan, Netherlands. He first met Otto Frank in 1923 upon Otto establishing an Amsterdam branch of his family's bank, where Kleiman served as deputy manager with power of attorney. Their professional connection resumed in 1933 after the Frank family emigrated to Amsterdam, with Kleiman handling bookkeeping for Otto's companies Opekta and Pectacon.
After Nazi occupation and anti-Jewish measures in 1941, Kleiman proposed converting an unused annex at Prinsengracht 263 into a hiding place. He managed the logistical preparations months before the families moved in. When Margot Frank received a deportation notice in July 1942, Kleiman immediately facilitated the Frank family's move to the Secret Annex, followed by the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer.
As the primary contact during hiding, Kleiman addressed emergencies like flea infestations by procuring pesticides and maintained encrypted communication with the Frank family in Switzerland. Despite severe stomach ailments worsened by stress, he remained a consistent source of emotional support; Anne Frank noted his unwavering cheerfulness in her diary: "When Mr. Kleiman enters, the sun begins to shine!" His wife occasionally joined him on visits, bringing Anne small gifts such as sandals or fabric.
Kleiman was arrested during the Gestapo raid on 4 August 1944 and imprisoned at Amersfoort camp. Released after approximately six weeks due to poor health and Red Cross intervention, he resumed managing the company until Otto Frank's return in 1945. After the war, Kleiman became Otto's right-hand man in Amsterdam, facilitated tours of the Secret Annex, and co-founded the Anne Frank House foundation on 3 May 1957.
He died suddenly at his desk on 28 January 1959, prior to the museum's opening in May 1960. Otto Frank delivered his eulogy, quoting "A friend in need is a friend indeed." In 1972, Yad Vashem recognized Kleiman as Righteous Among the Nations for his wartime actions.
After Nazi occupation and anti-Jewish measures in 1941, Kleiman proposed converting an unused annex at Prinsengracht 263 into a hiding place. He managed the logistical preparations months before the families moved in. When Margot Frank received a deportation notice in July 1942, Kleiman immediately facilitated the Frank family's move to the Secret Annex, followed by the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer.
As the primary contact during hiding, Kleiman addressed emergencies like flea infestations by procuring pesticides and maintained encrypted communication with the Frank family in Switzerland. Despite severe stomach ailments worsened by stress, he remained a consistent source of emotional support; Anne Frank noted his unwavering cheerfulness in her diary: "When Mr. Kleiman enters, the sun begins to shine!" His wife occasionally joined him on visits, bringing Anne small gifts such as sandals or fabric.
Kleiman was arrested during the Gestapo raid on 4 August 1944 and imprisoned at Amersfoort camp. Released after approximately six weeks due to poor health and Red Cross intervention, he resumed managing the company until Otto Frank's return in 1945. After the war, Kleiman became Otto's right-hand man in Amsterdam, facilitated tours of the Secret Annex, and co-founded the Anne Frank House foundation on 3 May 1957.
He died suddenly at his desk on 28 January 1959, prior to the museum's opening in May 1960. Otto Frank delivered his eulogy, quoting "A friend in need is a friend indeed." In 1972, Yad Vashem recognized Kleiman as Righteous Among the Nations for his wartime actions.