Two local Holocaust survivors honored at State Capitol

Two Valley residents were honored during the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at the State Capitol.

Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) honored Palm Desert resident Rita Dukker Mazer & Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) honored Desert Hot Springs resident Yoka Brouwer.

Mazer was born in the Netherlands in 1938. For her protection, her parents gave her “away” to an organization that located hiding homes for Jewish children. After spending a short period of time in three different homes, Mazer was taken in by a young couple who hid her for the next three years until the war’s end.

“Rita is a true survivor and I am honored to have her join me today in the somber remembrance of a terrible and shocking chapter of human history,” said Mayes. “Only by keeping the memories of the 6 million people we lost alive in our hearts and minds can we truly ensure that such horrible acts never happen again.”

Mazer lost both of her parents in the Holocaust and was taken in by her biological aunt following the war. In 1960, Mazer moved to the United States and took up residence in the Coachella Valley in 1969. After putting herself through school, she became a kindergarten teacher. Mazer is now retired and resides in Palm Desert.

Brouwer was also born in the Netherlands, in 1940. Two years later, in the midst of political turmoil, her parents decided to go into hiding. The Resistance offered safe harbor to her family but due to Mrs. Brouwer’s young age, it was deemed too dangerous to stay together. Mrs. Brouwer’s was placed into the care of strangers and by the end of the war, she had been hidden in over a dozen different places. Finally she was reunited with her family but the length of separation made it difficult. Her experience growing up in the war left her with many phobias and attachment issues. Unfortunately, Mrs. Brouwer was never able to fully assimilate to life at home; at age sixteen she set out to make her own life.

“It is with utmost importance that we continue to honor and preserve the valiant life stories of our World War II survivors and liberators,” said Assemblymember Garcia. “I commend Mrs. Brouwer for her tremendous courage and dedicated efforts to share her experiences with our local youth. Her exemplary advocacy will ensure that these stories live on.”

In 1964, Mrs. Brouwer, her husband, and son moved to the United States. In the late 1960’s she was able to break into the male-dominated realm of technology and computer science. After five years of success as a computer programmer, she was drawn to psychology, obtained a degree in Psychology and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and began work as a psychotherapist and trainer.

Mrs. Brouwer has dedicated years of outreach in schools, sharing tales of her family’s history and struggles with students.

“We must never forget the atrocious acts of the Holocaust. We have a responsibility to educate future generations on this dark period of our history and teach them to cast out hatred, act with love and embrace diversity of creed, lifestyle, and culture,” said Assemblymember Garcia.