Join Temple Beth Sholom as we welcome Dr. Cary Lane, curator-in-residence of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center in Queens and a professor at Queensborough Community College, during the annual Yom Hashoah program at 7 p.m. April 12.
Lane will recount details of the little-known rescue of thousands of Jews by the villagers of Le Chambon and its surrounding areas known as the Plateau in southeast France. He will describe the current Kupferberg Center exhibition, describing the results of his research and the photographs, letters and other artifacts compiled that document the compassion, heroism, and selflessness of these villagers.
Because of its remoteness, Le Chambon, a village at the foot of the Alps, was a haven for Protestant Christians seeking to avoid religious persecution under the reign of King Louis XIV, with an established history of religious tolerance.
Within days after Nazi Germany’s invasion of France and the establishment of the Demarcation Line separating Northern Occupied France from unoccupied Vichy France, the pastor of Le Chambon rallied the villagers to action with the words, “We will resist when our enemies demand that we act in ways that go against the teachings of the Gospel. We will resist without fear, without pride, and without hatred.”
The parishioners of Le Chambon took this measure to heart, welcoming Jewish refugees into their homes, educating them in their public schools and hiding them from periodic raids.
The parishioners of Le Chambon and the surrounding Protestant and Catholic churches also established a network for the safe passage of thousands of Jews, including the preparation of forged documents necessary to smuggle Jews into Switzerland. In the decades following the Holocaust, the entire community was awarded the medal of the Righteous, Israel’s Highest Civilian Honor.
“As an educator and curator, it was extremely inspiring to help tell the story of the largest act of communal Righteousness during World War II: when a rural community of French Protestants risked their lives to save several thousand Jewish refugees,” Lane said. “For students who have only studied the horrors of the Holocaust, this exhibit offers an uplifting look at the capacity for decency, courage, and humility.”
Our congregation and community will have a unique opportunity to hear more about Le Chambon, and the heroism of its villagers. The program will also include a candle lighting ceremony, and a brief performance from our religious school students.
The program is free and open to the community. Holocaust survivors in the area who would like to light a candle during the service are asked to contact the Temple Beth Sholom office in advance at (516) 621-2288.
The synagogue is located at 401 Roslyn Rd., Roslyn Heights, NY.
