Memories of Courage
Danish fishermen (foreground) ferry Jews across a narrow sound to safety in neutral Sweden during the German occupation of Denmark. Sweden, 1943. —Museet for Danmarks Frihedskamp
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Varian Fry walking along the street in Marseilles. France, 1940-1941. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Annette Fry
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An identity card issued to Simone Werlin (assumed name of Simone Weil) by the Bibliotheque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Simone Weil Lipman
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False identification card issued to Simone Werlin, the pseudonym of Simone Weil, stamped with the seal of Chateauroux. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Simone Weil Lipman
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Autograph book and photo album presented to Elizabeth Kaufmann prior to her departure from the La Guespy refugee home in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Elizabeth Kaufmann Koenig
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A boat used by Danish fishermen to transport Jews to safety in Sweden during the German occupation. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
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Irena Sendlerowa participated in Zegota, an underground organization of Poles and Jews that coordinated efforts to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Yad Vashem Photo Archives
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Joop Westerweel was achoolteacher executed by the Nazis for helping Jews escape from the Netherlands. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Beit Lohamei Haghetaot
Varian Fry walking along the street in Marseilles. France, 1940-1941. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Annette Fry
An identity card issued to Simone Werlin (assumed name of Simone Weil) by the Bibliotheque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Simone Weil Lipman
False identification card issued to Simone Werlin, the pseudonym of Simone Weil, stamped with the seal of Chateauroux. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Simone Weil Lipman
Autograph book and photo album presented to Elizabeth Kaufmann prior to her departure from the La Guespy refugee home in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Elizabeth Kaufmann Koenig
A boat used by Danish fishermen to transport Jews to safety in Sweden during the German occupation. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
Irena Sendlerowa participated in Zegota, an underground organization of Poles and Jews that coordinated efforts to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Yad Vashem Photo Archives
Joop Westerweel was achoolteacher executed by the Nazis for helping Jews escape from the Netherlands. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Beit Lohamei Haghetaot
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.
Explore the links on this page to learn more about stories of rescue.
Video
Eyewitness testimony—David (Dudi) Bergman
Eyewitness testimony—Agnes Mandl Adachi
Eyewitness testimony—View more testimonies
And they said, "David, you must survive and let the world know what happened."
— David (Dudi) Bergman
