Four Jewish rescuers who saved other Jews during the Holocaust were recognized Tuesday in a ceremony organized by B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund.

The 24th annual event is the only major commemoration of the heroism of Jews who endangered their own lives to rescue fellow Jews during the Holocaust, B’nai B’rith said. The ceremony was held in Jerusalem at the Van Leer Institute.

“On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we salute the heroism of Jews who saved their people in the darkest hours,” said KKL–JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky. “Their legacy reminds us that Zionism is the rebirth of the Jewish people in its land, and that it is our duty to continue strengthening the State of Israel for generations to come.”

The Jewish Rescuers Citation was created in 2011 as a joint program of the B’nai B’rith World Center and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers during the Holocaust in an effort to help correct the generally held misconception that Jews failed or were unable to come to the aid of fellow Jews. It has honored 667 recipients.

“The phenomena of Jewish rescue and the inspiring stories of many hundreds of Jews who labored to save their endangered brethren throughout Europe from deportation........

© The Times of Israel