Today, on May 14, 2021, Ukraine celebrates for the first time the day of remembrance of Ukrainians who saved Jews during World War II.
This is reported by UNIAN.
A memorable date in February of this year was introduced by the relevant resolution of the Verkhovna Rada. During May 11-13, the National Museum of the history of Ukraine in World War II, together with the Ukrainian Institute of national memory, told the stories of Ukrainians who saved Jews.
On this day, a round table will be held to discuss the issue of honoring the feat of Ukrainian rescuers both at the state and international levels.
Helping Jews during World War II in Nazi-occupied Europe was often punishable by the death of the Savior himself and his entire family. As a sign of gratitude, the Jewish people initiated an honorary title for such people – Righteous Among the Nations.
This title is awarded by the state of Israel to honor non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from being exterminated by the Nazis. It can only be obtained on the recommendation of the Jewish community, and a special commission examines all documents and testimonies of people who can confirm the fact of salvation.
The title is awarded to a person who took an active part in saving Jews from the danger of execution or deportation to a death camp. At the same time, the Savior did not expect to receive any financial compensation in return and also did not harm any other person during his later life.
As of January 1, 2020, 2,659 Ukrainian citizens were awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations by Israel for saving Jews from the Holocaust, that is, the Nazi policy of extermination.
The first Ukrainian to receive this title was Maria Babych, who saved a Jewish girl, Irit Osipova, in occupied Rivne. After the war, Babych became a member of the Osipov family and went to Israel with them. The title of Righteous Among the Nations was awarded to her on May 1, 1962.
The most famous Ukrainians who saved Jews during the Holocaust are UGCC priest Omelyan Kovch and Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who has not yet been recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations.
The title of Righteous Among the Nations is held by Klymenty Sheptytsky.
As RISU has reported, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine asks Yad Vashem to recognize Andrey Sheptytsky as a "Righteous Among the Nations".