From 1939 to 1942, the Jewish community in Brussels faced a profoundly challenging period shaped by the events of World War II and the influence of Nazi ideology. This period unfolded within the context of Belgium’s struggle to maintain neutrality and its subsequent mobilization for war. As the nation prepared for conflict, the Belgian government implemented security measures that had a profound impact on the lives of Jewish residents.
As the conflict escalated, the situation for the Jews in Brussels deteriorated further. By 1942, the Nazi occupation of Belgium intensified the challenges faced by the Jewish community—for example, with the imposition of the label "Jew" on personal documents and restrictions on movements. Starting from June 7, 1942, following the ordinance of May 27, 1942, the mandatory wearing of the Star of David became a stark manifestation of the "final solution," which pursued the complete destruction of all Jews in Europe. Many Jewish individuals from Brussels endured persecution, internment, and deportation to Auschwitz.