Ischa Meijer
Encyclopedia
Israël Chaim Meijer (Amsterdam
, February 14, 1943–Amsterdam, February 14, 1995) was a Dutch
Jewish journalist, author, actor and television presenter. He survived the Nazi concentration camp Bergen Belsen along with his parents.
in Surinam in the 1950s, fearing a communist take-over. After a few years the Meijer family returned to Amsterdam after having difficulties adjusting to the environment. Ischa grew up in a family traumatised by the experiences of the Holocaust which led to emotional as well as alleged physical abuse by his parents. He was thrown out of the house at age eighteen. His parents also ended contact with Ischa's siblings.
(national weekly magazine). He became well-known for his extensive and disclosing interviews. In 1984 he published a controversial interview with politician (and at that time mayor of Rotterdam
) Bram Peper
, which caused a lot of commotion throughout the country. The interview eventually was one of the reasons for Peper to divorce his wife, and started a period of heavy alcoholism
by Peper.
.
. In the years preceding his death he had a solid relationship with writer Connie Palmen
, who wrote a book about her relationship with Ischa, called I.M. (1998).
On February 14th 1995, on his 52nd birthday, Ischa Meijer died of a heart attack while on his way to a coffee shop to celebrate his birthday. He left behind a son, Jeroen, and a daughter, Jessica. Dutch news media gave much attention to his death.
That same year he was given posthumous recognition for his work by receiving the Zilveren Reissmicrofoon, an important award in the world of Dutch radio. Besides the book I.M. another book was launched concerning the life of Meijer, this time by his sister Mirjam who wrote the book Mijn broer Ischa (My brother Ischa) (1997). Meijer also played a background role in another book by Connie Palmen, Geheel de Uwe (Entirely Yours).
A documentary on Meijer's life was broadcast on Dutch television on February 14th 2005 called Ik hou van mij (I love myself), made by documentary maker Kees de Groot Embden.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, February 14, 1943–Amsterdam, February 14, 1995) was a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Jewish journalist, author, actor and television presenter. He survived the Nazi concentration camp Bergen Belsen along with his parents.
Youth
Ischa Meijer was born as the oldest child of historian Jaap Meijer and Liesbeth Voet. He was deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as a baby along with his parents. They managed to survive, and returned to Amsterdam after the war, where Ischa's siblings Mirjam and Job were born. The family emigrated to ParamariboParamaribo
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 250,000 people, more than half of Suriname's population...
in Surinam in the 1950s, fearing a communist take-over. After a few years the Meijer family returned to Amsterdam after having difficulties adjusting to the environment. Ischa grew up in a family traumatised by the experiences of the Holocaust which led to emotional as well as alleged physical abuse by his parents. He was thrown out of the house at age eighteen. His parents also ended contact with Ischa's siblings.
Career
Ischa started working as a journalist for De Nieuwe Linie; later on he also started working for the Haagse Post, Nieuw Revu (national weekly magazine) and Vrij NederlandVrij Nederland
Vrij Nederland is a Dutch magazine which was established during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II as an underground newspaper but has since grown into a magazine. The weekly magazine is generally considered to be intellectually left-wing...
(national weekly magazine). He became well-known for his extensive and disclosing interviews. In 1984 he published a controversial interview with politician (and at that time mayor of Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
) Bram Peper
Bram Peper
Abraham Peper is a Dutch sociologist and former politician. Peper was Mayor of Rotterdam and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and is member of the Dutch Labour Party ....
, which caused a lot of commotion throughout the country. The interview eventually was one of the reasons for Peper to divorce his wife, and started a period of heavy alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
by Peper.
Radio and Television
For a considerable time Meijer was the host of the radioshow Een Uur Ischa (One Hour Ischa), later transformed into Een Dik Uur Ischa (lit. One Fat Hour Ischa). He also hosted a late-evening show on the television network RTL 5RTL 5
RTL 5 is the 2nd channel of the RTL Group in the Netherlands. The channel mainly broadcasts American films and hit series but also local productions including Jensen! and Holland's Next Top Model, a Dutch version of America's Next Top Model. RTL 5 recently started airing the Dutch version of...
.
Relationships
Meijer had several relationships throughout his life, and also visited prostitutes at a regular basis, giving him the inspiration to write the book Hoeren (Hookers) (1980). In the late 1980s Meijer had a relationship with comedian and actress Jenny AreanJenny Arean
Jenny Arean is a Dutch singer, actress and comedian. She is known for her contralto voice.-Life and career:...
. In the years preceding his death he had a solid relationship with writer Connie Palmen
Connie Palmen
Aldegonda Petronella Huberta Maria "Connie" Palmen is a Dutch author.Palmen debuted with the novel De wetten , published in the USA as The Laws , translated by Richard Huijing...
, who wrote a book about her relationship with Ischa, called I.M. (1998).
Death and Acknowledgement
Ischa continued throughout his life searching for the love his parents never gave to him. When Ischa's mother became seriously ill in 1993, Ischa and his siblings were not allowed to say goodbye. Several years after her death Ischa's father Jaap died as well.On February 14th 1995, on his 52nd birthday, Ischa Meijer died of a heart attack while on his way to a coffee shop to celebrate his birthday. He left behind a son, Jeroen, and a daughter, Jessica. Dutch news media gave much attention to his death.
That same year he was given posthumous recognition for his work by receiving the Zilveren Reissmicrofoon, an important award in the world of Dutch radio. Besides the book I.M. another book was launched concerning the life of Meijer, this time by his sister Mirjam who wrote the book Mijn broer Ischa (My brother Ischa) (1997). Meijer also played a background role in another book by Connie Palmen, Geheel de Uwe (Entirely Yours).
A documentary on Meijer's life was broadcast on Dutch television on February 14th 2005 called Ik hou van mij (I love myself), made by documentary maker Kees de Groot Embden.