World Jewish News

Over the past five decades Yad Vashem has recognized over 24,800 Righteous among the Nations from 47 different countries.

New exhibition at Yad Vashem : ‘I am My Brother’s Keeper’

.A new exhibition depicting through films the varying efforts taken by non-Jewish rescuers who came to the aid of persecuted Jews during the Holocaust, opened at Yad Vashem ’s Exhibitions Pavilion in Jerusalem.
Curated by Yehudit Shendar and designed by Chanan DeLange, the exhibition ‘’I Am My Brother's Keeper’’, is divided into five rescue themes, each highlighting the complex human situations involved in the rescue. Each of the categories presents a unique account through the films providing an artistic visualization that succeeds in characterizing the different types of rescue stories and highlights the risky decisions with which the rescuers were confronted.
Chairman of Yad Vashem Avner Shalev said, “The exhibition presents a fascinating historical phenomenon where the individual decided to go against the stream and through great risks saves lives. The visitor to ‘I Am My Brother's Keeper’ will not only be exposed to the courageous actions and moral choices made by the Righteous Among the Nations amidst a sea of indifference and hostility, but will also allow the visitor the opportunity to internalize the defining moral choices they faced, perhaps positively affecting their future decisions in life.”
The exhibition is built from five main rescue stories: “In the cellars, pits and attics” provides the narrative of Jews on the run who were offered shelter for indefinite periods of time in crowded hideouts, totally dependent on their benefactors. “Parting once again” tells of the fate of hidden children and lost identities, while the exhibition also pays tribute to rescuers who were members of the clergy from all Christian denominations in “Under the benefaction of the cross.” “Paying the ultimate price” narrates the tragic stories of those who paid for their rescue attempts with their lives, and “The courage to defy” tells about the few who refused to simply follow their bureaucratic orders and decided to defy their superiors.
Over the past five decades Yad Vashem has recognized over 24,800 Righteous among the Nations from 47 different countries.

EJP