by Sabrina Bossert; Published by Swiss National Museum (October 27, 2022)
This article recounts the history of the 300-Kinder-Aktion, a 1939 Swiss rescue initiative that admitted mostly Jewish children from southern Germany shortly before World War II. Originally intended as a temporary stay before onward migration, the outbreak of war forced many children to remain in Switzerland for years, which ultimately saved their lives. The piece focuses on the story of Anneliese Laupheimer, a Jewish girl with an intellectual disability, tracing her journey from escape to long-term care, the fate of her family, and the postwar asylum and compensation processes. It also contextualizes the broader Swiss refugee policies and the role of Jewish aid organizations.