Backgrounds of the Righteous

Most of the rescuers were ordinary people. Some acted out of political, ideological, or religious motives, while others were simply people who cared about those around them. In most cases, they did not plan to become rescuers and were not prepared for the moment when they had to make such an important and dangerous decision. Their humanity should serve as an example to us all. The Righteous Among the Nations were Christians, Muslims, and agnostics; men and women of all ages; people from all walks of life; educated citizens and illiterate peasants; public figures as well as those on the margins of society; city dwellers and farmers from the remotest corners of Europe; university professors, teachers, doctors, clergy, nuns, diplomats, ordinary workers, civil servants, resistance fighters, policemen, peasants, fishermen, zookeepers, circus owners, and many more.

Altruism

Scientists tried to find out what common traits the righteous had and what kind of people were inclined to help the Jews. Samuel P. Oliner and Pearl M. Oliner identify altruism. Comparing rescuers with those who only watched from the sidelines during the Holocaust, rescuers show empathy and a sense of connection with others.Nehama Tec, who also studied the righteous, noticed recurring common characteristics inherent in conditions of exclusion, individuality, and marginalization. The autonomy of the saviors gave them the opportunity to act against established rules and beliefs. Those who merely watched from the sidelines were the rule, while the saviors were the exception. The very fact that, despite fear and hardship, there were people who had enough courage to save people proves that in occupied Europe the possibility of choice existed and that ordinary people were capable of doing so. The Righteous Among the Nations of the world teach us that even one person can make a significant difference.

Ways of helping

There were many ways to help: some people gave Jews food by slipping an apple into a pocket or leaving food along their route. Others directed Jews to people who could help them. Still others offered Jews shelter for the night, warning them from the outset that they would have to leave in the morning. Very few people assumed full responsibility for helping Jews survive. Usually, only members of this smallest group are recognized as Righteous Among the Nations.

Providing shelter

In rural Eastern Europe, hiding places or bunkers were built beneath houses, barns and sheds to shelter Jews. Thus, in addition to fearing for their lives, Jews had to endure extremely difficult physical conditions for long periods — hiding places were dark, cold, poorly ventilated and overcrowded. Rescuers, whose own lives were also at risk, had to provide food for the Jews, a difficult task during wartime, remove human waste from the bunkers and meet the other needs of those in their care. Jews were also hidden in attics, forest shelters and any other places that offered concealment: cemeteries, sewers, animal cages in zoos and elsewhere. Sometimes they were presented as non-Jewish relatives or adopted children. Jews were also hidden in city apartments, while children were taken to convents, where nuns concealed their identities. In Western Europe, Jews were most often hidden in homes, farms or convents.

Forged documents

In order for Jews to successfully assume a non-Jewish identity, they needed false documents and assistance in creating a false identity. In this case, the saviors were forgers or officials who provided false documents, clergymen who forged baptismal certificates, and foreign diplomats who issued visas or passports in violation of their own country's regulations. In late 1944, diplomats in Budapest issued protective documents and hung their country's flags over the buildings, thus granting diplomatic asylum to the Jews in those buildings.Some German rescuers, such as Oskar Schindler, used false pretexts to save their workers from deportation, arguing that the Jews were needed for war service.

Helping people escape

Some rescuers helped Jews escape from areas of particular danger and flee to less dangerous places. Yes there was a secret transportation of Jews from ghettos and prisons, helping them cross borders into unoccupied countries or areas where there was no intense persecution, such as neutral Switzerland, Italian-controlled areas where deportation did not occur, or Hungary before its occupation by the Germans in March 1944.

When rescuing children, parents had to face the agonizing dilemma of whether to give up their children in an effort to increase their chances of survival. In some cases, children who were orphaned were taken in by families or nuns. Most often, individuals decided to adopt children, but in some countries - Underground organizations operated in Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France that sought refuge for children and provided the necessary funds., food and medicine, and ensured that the children were properly cared for.