Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are stumbling to the slaughter, Oh hold them back. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts understand? And does not He who guards your soul know? And will not He render to man according to his work?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)
Yom hashoah :
We shall remember the men and women, who took risks to save Jews. My great uncle Maurice Duchêne was one of them, he brought 14 Jews from France to Switzerland, near Geneva from an house built on the border line, in Ambilly.
(My mother was raised in this house). He did receive the jews and let them plant potatoes all afternoon, so that the soldier’s German shepherd would get used to their smell. And in the night they would go through the river. Once, someone brought a briefcase full of money. He answered : « No sir, I do it at the price of the risk of my own life ».
He was also a pastor and never asked for salary of his baptist church, full time working as a cabinetmaker. He was very gifted and was called to do furniture at the Elisée in France. He refused the offer.
He did not strive for recognition. No tree is planted for him in Israel because he did not know the names of those he helped, and they did not know his name. But he did plant a tree in Israel.
I had the chance to ask him and hear his story first hand from him ( during tea time discussions. What a contrast!). I am proud of what he did.
God’s blessings be with you
Eric