This is a little place in a garden at the Hebrew University, a reminder of hero Raoul Wallenberg.
Today Wallenberg got a big honor: he was recognised as an honorary Australian citizen in a ceremony at Government House in Canberra--the first time Australia has bestowed such an honor.
Recently I read an article that gave me something in common with the brave Swedish Lutheran who saved Jews from the Holocaust.
It turns out that we are both graduates of the University of Michigan.
Historians and officials there at Ann Arbor explain in this fascinating article that the four years he spent in America studying architecture at the University of Michigan were formative, infusing in him a very American “can-do” attitude.
I guarantee you will enjoy reading about this.
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UPDATE: And now, the United States has unveiled the designs of the Raoul Wallenberg Congressional Gold Medal. "Hero of heroes. One person can make a difference."
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Friends, if the article whet your appetite, here is more:
ReplyDeletehttp://heritage.umich.edu/story/wallenberg-at-michigan/#Back-to-Michigan
and
The Wallenberg Medal and Lecture/ One Person Can Make a Difference at
http://www.wallenberg.umich.edu/index.html
Thank you, Dina
ReplyDeleteAloha
I am delighted that Wallenberg has been recognised as an honorary Australian citizen in a ceremony at Government House in Canberra. I hope there is a big and very beautiful plaque to remember the event.
ReplyDeleteDina, I'm curious. I believe we have already 'talked' about Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese diplomat in Marseille during WWII, who saved about 30.000 people from the concentration camps, giving them fake visas to Portugal, risking his own life considering that it was something Salazar's dictatorship would never allow (Portugal was neutral!...). Do Israelis known who he was or is there any kind of memorial over there?
ReplyDeleteJM, already in 1966 Aristides de Sousa Mendes was recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
ReplyDeletePlease see
http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/righteous/stories/mendes.asp
His story there is so interesting. He deserves many thanks and more recognition.
I guess Wallenberg gets so much attention because of his mysterious disappearance.
I'm not sure how well-known Mendes is among the people here. I will take a little survey and report back to you. Yes, you did tell me about Mendes, a year ago, and I thank you for that.
He was a great man: sadly he managed to cheat the Nazis only to be killed by the Soviets... Our Perlasca was his friend and part of his wide network in Budapest.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad people are learning about and honoring Mr. Wallenberg's courage, kindness and bravery.
ReplyDelete