Yad Vashem Announces First Arab ‘Righteous Gentile’
Image by Courtesy of Yad Vashem
By Dan Friedman October 23, 2017
Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance museum in Israel, has recognized Mohamed Helmy for his bravery in rescuing Jews in Nazi Berlin.
This is the first time that an Arab has received the honor of being a “Righteous Among the Nations” (better known as “Righteous Gentile”) from the commission.
An Egyptian brought up in Khartoum, Helmy moved to Germany to continue his medical studies. Designated a “Hamite” by the Nazis he was unable to marry his German fiancée, but continued to speak out against the prejudice despite his own interests.
Though Helmy died in 1982, Yad Vashem recognized him in 2013. At the time his family declined the honor because it came from Israel but they will accept the honor in Berlin on October 26.
His help was general and specific, Yad Vashem cites the help he gave to Anna Boros and her friends and family. Along with Frieda Szturmann, Helmy hid Boros and, after having made it to freedom Boros was able to visit Helmy in the 1960s.
It was, eventually, her testimony that alerted the commission.
If it weren’t for Dr. Helmy, I would not be here today, as well as my two brothers, Charlie and Fred. In addition, between the three of us, we have seven children who wouldn’t be here as well
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
