7 People Who Triumphed Over Evil During The Holocaust

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, we share with you seven extraordinary people who triumphed over the evil that pervaded much of European society during World War II. Some of these men and women were stripped of their childhood, while others put their lives at great risk to protect the Jews from the Nazis. Read about these brave souls, and may we never forget their actions.

1. Oskar Schindler

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in the factories he owned. Schindler lost his fortune saving the lives of Jews during the Holocaust and was named Righteous Among the Nations by the Israeli government in 1963. Photo: bibleplaces.com

2. Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom

This Dutch Christian and her family helped Jews hide by providing them refuge in a secret room in her bedroom. Her family was caught and Corrie was imprisoned for her involvement. She described her experience in the book, The Hiding Place. Photo: PMsocialmedia

3. Alice Herz-Sommer

Via blog.ifcj.org

Alice Herz-Sommer’s fame grew over the past year when a documentary inspired by her life, The Lady in Number 6, won an Oscar. Her inspiring story tells of a life lived bravely, faithfully, and well. The pianist and Holocaust survivor passed away in February at 110 years old.

4. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau

Via blog.ifcj.org

Rabbi Lau lost all of his family during the Holocaust, with the exception of an older brother, a half-brother, and an uncle. Upon his release from the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945, Lau immigrated to Israel and eventually became the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and Chairman of Yad Vashem. The youngest survivor of Buchenwald, Rabbi Lau counts his blessings to this day. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

5. Hanoch Shahar

Via blog.ifcj.org

Hanoch Shahar is a Holocaust survivor, former tank mechanic, volunteer paramedic, runner, and true inspiration. At age 77, he ran in the 2012 Jerusalem Marathon.

6. Uri Orlev

Via blog.ifcj.org

As a young child, Uri grew up in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after his mother was killed and his father was captured. He is one of the first to write about the Holocaust for children. Uri's books have been translated into more than 30 languages. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

7. Zelda Schneurson Mishkovsky

Via blog.ifcj.org

A literary legend, Zelda penned the poem L’khol Ish Yesh Shem (“Each Person Has a Name”) which is recited on every Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel.