|
The Encyclopedia of
the Righteous Among the Nations
Highlights of Yad
Vashem’s Activity in 2003
Buchman
Memorial Prize 2003
Gertner Scholarship
Encourages Excellence in Holocaust Research
Yad Vashem Marks its
50th Anniversary
Recent Visits at Yad Vashem
The Encyclopedia of
the Righteous Among the Nations
Rescuers of Jews during the
Holocaust - France
(English Edition)
“In the darkness of the Nazi
occupation, a few lights flickered: the Righteous Among the
Nations, who represent the best of humankind, fraternity, justice,
and tolerance… In Jerusalem, Yad Vashem has commemorated those who
risked their lives, who heeded nothing but their hearts and their
human conscience, and who rescued Jews.”
Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic of France
The concept of “Righteous Among the
Nations” is based on the Talmudic saying, “He who saves one human
being is as if he saves an entire world.” But what did this mean
during the Holocaust? For some it was the adoption of a “recently
orphaned niece or nephew from the countryside.” For others, it was
sharing their meager food supplies with strangers they had hidden
in their attic, or supplying false identity papers for former
colleagues on the run.
Over the past five decades, some
20,000 Righteous Among the Nations have been recognized by Yad
Vashem. They came from all nationalities, religious denominations
and social groups. Each has a deeply human story representing the
preservation of human values in the midst of absolute moral
collapse. They prove that despite the grave dangers involved,
there were still those who were willing to take enormous risks in
order to fulfill the precept, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
These ordinary individuals have become cultural heroes and symbols
of courage. They are a source of hope, a role model and an
inspiration.
This encyclopedia is the first in a
series published by Yad Vashem containing the personal stories of
each of the Righteous Among the Nations. It presents an authentic
record of some of the most moving and heroic acts of our time, and
is a fitting tribute to the men and women who performed them. The
French edition, co-published by Edition Fayard, was
released last year.
Copyright ©2004 Yad Vashem The Holocaust
Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority |
