On Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3:00 p.m., Bishop Gerald T. Walsh will be a guest speaker representing His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, when the Long Island Ethnic Coalition of Faith Partners comes together in recognition of the heroism of Giuseppe D’Urso, father of state Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso.
“Who in the world would believe that a farmer and his wife would risk their lives and the lives of their children, and live in the woods for nine months while hiding a large Jewish family?” asked Anthony D’Urso, speaking of the valiant behavior of his late father during what were his own childhood years.
Yet, that’s exactly what happened. Giuseppe D’Urso performed the ultimate act of selflessness and courage when he rescued and saved the lives of what were, in fact, two Jewish families in Formia, Italy, in 1944 during the Nazi Occupation.
In February 2019, Assemblyman D’Urso was recognized for his father’s heroism in Rome by Pope Francis. Giuseppe had taken the Jewish families into hiding, moving them from place to place to shield them from German soldiers.
He hid them in animal sheds in the woods for nine months, later taking them through the mountains. Eventually the Vatican sent a truck to the base of the mountain and brought them to freedom.
The Long Island Ethnic Coalition of Faith Partners, under the direction of Sandi Rosenzweig-Cooper, consists of 10 different ethnic and religious organizations, among them, Buddhist, Muslim, African American, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Unitarian.
All members of the community are invited to attend this special event, which will include tributes in words and music.
Temple Emanuel of Great Neck is located at 150 Hicks Lane. The venue is fully accessible. For further information, please call 516.482.5701.
