The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) honored the sacrifices of Polish rescuers of Jews living in Warsaw in one of the largest gatherings of living Holocaust rescuers on Sunday at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jewry in Warsaw.
Since these remaining righteous gentiles range in age from their late 80s to 100, the JFR luncheon was likely to be the last of such commemorations.
The annual JFR program has historically been one of the largest and most prestigious ceremonies honoring rescuers in Poland and this year marks its return for the first time since 2019, following a hiatus due to international COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition to some 14 rescuers, the event was attended by foreign diplomats, as well as religious and community leaders, who spoke at the gathering. Notable attendees included Israel Ambassador Dr. Yacov Livne and Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich.
Other attendees included a delegation of 12 middle school and high school teachers and Holocaust center personnel from across five of the United States, who are active in the JFR’s educational programming.
“These are heroic people of exceptional character who risked their lives and often the lives of their families to save Jews during the Holocaust. This special event is designed to recognize them and give them the proper honor they deserve,” said Executive Vice President of the JFR Stanlee Stahl.
“COVID was challenging for everyone, especially these rescuers who were homebound and many living alone for the duration of the pandemic. It is nice to be able to gather together again and to pay tribute to them and their heroism. But because of their advanced ages and for many of them health issues, this is most likely going to be our last gathering for them.”