Righteous Gentile

A righteous gentile is usually described as a non-Jewish person who risked his or her life in an attempt to save Jews from the Holocaust. The state of Israel has recognized these individuals for their bravery, courage, humanity and fight for human life. The Yad Vashem Museum has honored more than 11,000 righteous gentiles with this distinction - almost 5,000 of which are of Polish descent.

More About Righteous Gentiles

The extent of support provided by righteous gentiles throughout Europe during the Nazi reign varied from person to person. A righteous gentile could have done anything to save Jewish lives from hiding Jews in their homes, helping transport them to safe locations and providing them with food or other necessities to providing them with jobs to avoid being taken away to concentration camps.

Oscar Schindler - A Righteous Gentile

In 1962, Oscar Schindler was named a righteous gentile. The Yad Vashem also bestowed upon Oscar Schindler a medal, which read: "He who saves one life, it is as if he saves the entire word." In addition, Schindler was invited to plant a Carob tree on the Avenue of the Righteous at Yad Vashem which was accompanied by a plaque with his name. Many surviving Schindlerjuden ( Jews saved by Schindler's List ) attended the ceremony to honor their war-time savior. However, many righteous gentiles, including Schindler were ostracized because the support they gave Jews during World War II.

Learn more about Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust

You can learn more about the life of Oscar Schindler and his efforts to save Jewish victims from the concentration camps and an almost certain death at Schindlerslist.com. You can also watch the Schindler's List trailer and preorder the new DVD from Universal Home Video & DVD.