Beyond Duty: Diplomats Recognized as Righteous Among the Nations

352 Lafayette Street,Salem MA 01970

13 December, 2021

Description

The exhibition acknowledges and honors the diplomats from around the world who saved the lives of Jews from Nazi extermination. The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in partnership with the Lappin Foundation is pleased to present Beyond Duty, an exhibit produced by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The exhibit showcases the story of nine diplomats who actively helped rescue Jews during the Holocaust. All were recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem. Almost all countries refused to accept Jewish refugees even before the Holocaust and, accordingly, instructed their diplomats to issue no immigration visas or help the persecuted Jews emigrate in any other way. A small handful of diplomats, however, rejected these policies and, often at great personal risk, assisted tens of thousands of Jews flee Nazi persecution. During the reception, Meron Reuben, the Consul General of Israel to New England and Daniel Agranov, the Deputy Consul General of Israel to New England, will give remarks. The program will also include a musical performance by Israeli American artists, Eyran Katsenelenbogen and Amir Milstein. Face masks are required indoors whenever not drinking or eating. The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is an interdisciplinary academic center committed to advancing research, education and public programming in the fields of Holocaust education, comparative genocide, conflict studies and human rights.  Its academic, professional development and public programs aim to educate and empower students, teachers and the community to combat racism, prejudice, ethnic hatred and abuse of authority—the root causes of mass violence and atrocities.