Memories of Courage

The Holocaust is not only a story of destruction and loss; it is a story of an apathetic world and a few rare individuals of extraordinary courage. Despite the indifference of many and outright collaboration of others in the murder of Jews, thousands of individuals, both Jewish and non-Jewish, took a stand against the persecution and killing of innocent people. Throughout Europe, many of those targeted by the Nazis also took action to resist oppression and genocide. In remembering those who took a determined stand against Nazism, we honor the memory of those who perished, and we are reminded that individuals do have the power, and choice, to make a difference in the fight against oppression and murderous hatred.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE EVENTS

• Days of Remembrance
  
• Acts of Courage: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Performing Arts series (past events)
  
• Organizing a Holocaust Remembrance Day
  

This autograph book belonged to Elizabeth Kaufmann Koenig, a Jewish girl from Austria who fled to southern France. Elizabeth eventually reached Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, whose population sheltered thousands of Jews. Elizabeth helped care for children sheltered by the town's pastor, Andre Trocme, and his wife, Magda. In November 1941, on the eve of her departure for the United States, Elizabeth collected signatures from her friends in a children's home in Le Chambon. The messages include artwork by some of the children and an entry by Magda Trocme. Elizabeth's family escaped from France on one of the last passenger ships to cross the Atlantic during the war. —USHMM Collections

RELATED LINKS

• Rescue
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Escape from German-Occupied Europe
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Jewish Aid and Rescue
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Resources
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Denmark
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Flight and Rescue
  
  (Online exhibition)
• Raoul Wallenberg
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Varian Fry
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Chiune Sugihara
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Ona Simaite, Joop Westerweel, Irena Sendlerowa
  
  (Holocaust Encyclopedia article)
• Righteous Among the Nations
  
  (Yad Vashem Web site)

Varian Fry in Marseilles. France, 1940-1941. —USHMM #01230
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Learn more about some acts of rescue »

After adopting a new identity in late 1943, Simone Weil falsified her student card from the year 1938-1939 to bear her assumed name, Simone Werlin. The card verified enrollment in the School of Social Work in Strasbourg. Using forged and falsified documents, Weil was able to move to Chateauroux, France, and establish an operation to rescue Jewish children as a member of the relief and rescue organization Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants (Children's Aid Society; OSE). —USHMM Collections
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A boat used by Danish fishermen to transport Jews to safety in Sweden during the German occupation. Denmark, date uncertain.
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Irena Sendlerowa
A member of Zegota, an underground organization of Poles and Jews that coordinated efforts to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland.
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Joop Westerweel
Schoolteacher executed by the Nazis for helping Jews escape from the Netherlands.
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