Annual Report 2025

Hunting Jack Foundation

In 2025, the Hunting Jack Foundation focused on loss, continuation and

future sustainability. The year was profoundly influenced by the sudden

death of founder Jack Kooistra on January 14, 2025. His life's work is

documenting war victims and making forgotten names visible

forms the heart of the foundation and is continued with great dedication.

Remembrance and tribute

On January 21, 2025, Jack Kooistra was cremated with limited military honors, accompanied

by a delegation from the 44th Armoured Infantry Brigade Johan Willem Friso. His

death received widespread media attention. The urn was placed at the

Northern Cemetery in Leeuwarden.

Book publication

Despite Jack's passing, work on his book continues

“5017 Murdered Jewish Children Aged 0-16” continued in collaboration with

Publisher Louise. The book was presented on July 8, 2025, during a meeting in

the Jewish School in Leeuwarden. Of the edition of 700 copies,

Several hundred were sold. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the foundation.

Knowledge sharing and public activities

On September 21, 2025, a lecture was held at Tresoar about the life's work of

Jack Kooistra, in collaboration with publisher Louise. This meeting emphasized the

importance of continued attention to historical justice and remembrance.

Digitalization and collaboration

In 2025, preparations began for the digitalization of approximately 182,000

handwritten cards containing details of people who died

during the Second World War, in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea. Foundation

Hunting Jack works closely with heritage and knowledge institutions.

regular discussions take place with WO2Net, Tresoar, NIOD, among others,

Oorlogsbronnen.nl ( WOII.nl/ Ons Land) and VeleHanden.

This collaboration covers all phases of the project: from digitalization and

metadata for sustainable access and public reach.

The foundation needs this collaboration for:

• The preservation of the archive,

• The connection to national heritage infrastructures,

• Knowledge sharing,

• Sustainable use of the sources for research, education and commemoration.

Education and connection with society

For the educational part of the project, the Hunting Jack Foundation collaborates with

Stolpersteine in Music Foundation. This partner guides the educational process with

a pilot at three schools. Based on the results and evaluation, it will be determined whether

program can be scaled.

The foundation attaches great importance to connecting the project with the current

society. The educational approach focuses on reflection, the consequences of exclusion, and the

discussion about norms and values is central. In this way, the historical material is not

not only preserved, but also made meaningful for new generations.

Project organization (duration 4 years)

The digitalization and access project has an intended duration of four years.

In the meantime, a project leader has been found for this project who will supervise the project,

monitor progress and manage quality, results and output. This means

ensured that the various phases are carried out carefully and that the project

delivers demonstrable, sustainable returns.

In 2025, fundraising also started to make digitalization possible.

the coming years will be marked by further collaboration and opening up the archive

and keeping the stories behind the names alive. The fundraiser is committed to

for financing projects and donations.