The B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) will hold their 22nd annual joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony on Monday, May 6, Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). The event, taking place at 10 a.m. Israel time at the "Scroll of Fire" Plaza in the B'nai B'rith Martyr's Forest – the world's largest Holocaust memorial with six million trees planted to memorize the victims – is the only Yom HaShoah ceremony dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of those who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. The ceremony will be streamed live on the B'nai B'rith International Facebook page.
During the ceremony, the "Jewish Rescuers Citation" will be conferred on 13 rescuers who operated in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Poland. The citation – a joint program of the B'nai B'rith World Center and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers during the Holocaust – has recognized over 632 heroes since 2011. It aims to correct the misconception that Jews failed to aid one another during the Holocaust. According to the two organizations, many Jews risked their lives to save others through "subterfuge, forgery, smuggling, and concealment ... foiling the Nazi goal of total annihilation."
Before the ceremony, at 9 a.m., small groups will meet with relatives of the rescuers to learn more about their heroic acts. Speakers include H.E. Sergio Barbanti, ambassador of Italy to Israel; Sar-Shalom Jerbi of KKL-JNF; Dr. Haim Katz of B'nai B'rith; Brig. Gen. Gihad Hasan of the Israel Police's Border Guard; and Holocaust survivor Sarah Jackson, who rescued people from the Nova festival attack (via video).
