Global museums celebrate those who saved Jews during the Holocaust
From Japan and Latvia to the UAE and the U.S., museums and exhibitions are increasingly focusing on these rescuers, offering lessons in courage, humanity, and moral action
As the world prepares to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tel Aviv University has released its annual “For a Righteous Cause” report, examining global efforts to preserve Jewish heritage, commemorate the Holocaust, and combat antisemitism.
The report, now in its fifth year, draws attention to emerging trends in Holocaust commemoration across 23 countries.
A central finding of the 104-page report is the increasing emphasis on the Righteous Among the Nations—those who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Museums and exhibitions highlighting their bravery have gained prominence in recent years, from Japan’s Chiune Sugihara museums to Latvia’s Jānis Lipke memorial and the Czech Republic’s “Museum of the Survivors,” which opened on the site of Oskar Schindler’s factory in 2025.
Similar initiatives have appeared in Tennessee, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Bulgaria, spotlighting figures like Roddie Edmonds, Feng Shan Ho, and Dimitar Peshev.
Prof. Uriya Shavit, head of the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, emphasized the importance of contextualizing these stories: “The spotlight on the Righteous Among the Nations is welcome as a lesson in humanism, but it is crucial that their stories are taught in the context of the Holocaust, not as a blurring of its harsh realities.”
Dr. Carl Yonker, author of the report’s main article, added that educators must ensure students understand the broader history of antisemitism and Nazi atrocities before focusing on acts of rescue.
The report also recommends that Israeli classrooms dedicate time before Holocaust Remembrance Day to study at least one Righteous Among the Nations figure, highlighting the power of individual courage and moral action.
In addition, the report explores France’s recent decision to mark July 12 as a national day commemorating Captain Alfred Dreyfus, whose 1906 exoneration remains a symbol of justice against antisemitism. While President Emmanuel Macron called it a “victory of justice and truth,” the report notes the ongoing public debate surrounding the Dreyfus Affair and its implications for France’s national identity.
Other topics in the report include King Charles III’s relationship with Judaism, the growth of Judaica philately, and a roundtable on Stefan Zweig’s engagement with Judaism and Zionism, highlighting his contemporary literary resurgence in Israel.