Righteous among the Nations
Righteous in a cruel world
From Monday April 18 to Sunday April 24, 2011 (morning), the exhibition "Disobey to save" honors French policemen and gendarmes who were named "Righteous among the Nations" for refusing orders from the Vichy government to arrest Jews. Thousands of persons were thus saved from deportation, especially women and children. Disobeying the Jewish Affairs Commissariat orders, these Righteous have intercepted and destroyed denunciation letters and helped or hidden Jews threatened with death or concentration camp deportation, thus risking their own lives or deportation, nazis considering assistance to Jews as a crime.
"Righteous among the Nations" is the highest distinction awarded by the Israel state to non-Jews who saved Jews lives during the Second World War. In the world 22,765 Righteous have been registered, among which 2,991 French and 54 policemen and gendarmes.
Organized by the National Veterans and Victims of War and presented by the Nice-Cote d'Azur Yad Vashem Committee, the exhibition takes place in the Yellow lounge of the Cannes City Hall, Rue Felix Faure.
The exhibition has been inaugurated by Mr Bernard Brochand, Deputy-Mayor of Cannes, Mr Jean Vables, Divisional Delegate of the National Veterans and War Victims, Mr Daniel Wancier, Chairman of the Nice-Cote d'Azur Yad Vashem Committee and the City Council.
At the inauguration, Mr Charles Gottlieb, survivor of Auschwitz, gave Mr Bernard Brochant his biography. Mr Gottlieb evokes a miracle to explain his being still alive and in good health, when he tells his stories, especially to children in schools where his book is distributed.
M. Daniel Wancier
M. Pierre Scholem & M. Eric Harson
Dr Roger Kamoun
M. Charles Gottlieb, David Lisnard, Bernard Brochand and Daniel Wancier (left to right)
M. David Lisnard, Daniel Wancier, Roger Kamoun, Charles Gottlieb, Bernard Brochand
M. Charles Gottlieb gives Bernard Brochand his biography