"Don't rush to fight and die. So few of us are left, we need to save lives. It's more important to save Jews than to kill Germans," said Tuvia Bielski, the partisan commander who, with his brother, set up a camp in the Naliboki Forest in Poland that protected many Jewish families during the Holocaust. And also saved them from the partisans' war against the Germans and their helpers.
An important phenomenon took place during the Holocaust. In which Jews put themselves at risk to save their fellow people. In a reality like that one, in which every Jew was persecuted in extreme and unprecedented conditions, it would have been natural for individuals to focus on saving themselves, their families, and the people closest to them.
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But the principle that the entire Jewish people are charged with each other's wellbeing is one that had been inculcated into the Jewish people for generations – the decision to risk one's life while extending one's hand is not an obvious one. Jews who tried to save other Jews took a double risk, since they were already being persecuted by the murderous Nazi policies.
The rescue actions were carried out by individuals or organizations, undergrounds or the various Jewish groups. They took place in countries where Jews were persecuted and in countries where Jews had sought safe haven. Rescue attempts took various forms, including sneaking across borders, making and distributing fake documents, assistance with emigration or establishing aid societies to help the Jewish public as a whole.
Many of the Jewish rescue initiatives were aided by gentiles, including some of the Righteous Among the Nations, who lent their help and support. Jewish solidarity and courage by both individuals and groups during the Holocaust shows that at a time of existential danger, they continued to protect each other and maintain moral values, including carrying out their obligation to help others. The Jewish rescuers were facing existential dilemmas and difficulties, but still opted to take action on behalf of their hounded brethren.
We must all remember and learn from this wonderful story. Obviously, the current situation is in no way similar to what existed during the Holocaust, but we can say that at times of crises, solidarity and mutual assurance are the foundations of our strength as Jews, as Israelis, and as human beings.
In the conversations I've been having with Holocaust survivors, I come to strengthen them and leave strengthened. I am encouraged by their perspective and their life experiences after the Holocaust. They teach us about determination, tolerance, and a commitment to the values of building and renewal.
Both individuals and communities can successfully handle distressful times, and even find that they hold meaning for both the present and the future.
