Honouring those who rescued fellow Jews in the Holocaust

A symbolic cornerstone was laid on Wednesday for the Jewish Rescuers Grove, a first-of-its-kind memorial honouring Jews who risked everything to save fellow Jews during the Holocaust.

The grove, a joint initiative of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and the B’nai B’rith World Centre–Jerusalem, will take root in the Jerusalem Forest near Yad Vashem. At its heart: a striking Memorial Boulevard, designed by Moria Architects and led by KKL-JNF’s Central Region, blending modern architecture with the forest’s natural beauty. The site will intertwine stories of courage with the flourishing landscape of Israel, creating a living tribute to those who defied death to save others.

Accessible walking paths and a network of forest trails will converge on the grove, where 36 stone pillars—symbolising the Lamed-Vav Tzadikim, or 36 righteous ones—will be erected. Each pillar will bear the names of recipients of the “Jewish Rescuer’s Citation,” awarded by the B’nai B’rith World Centre and the Committee to Recognise the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers During the Holocaust. The grove promises to be a powerful educational site for generations to come.

“In the darkest days of the 20th century, while Europe burned and Jewish solidarity frayed, some among us stood tall,” said KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski. “These brave individuals risked—and in many cases gave—their lives to save others. This grove will ensure their heroism is never forgotten. Here, their stories will take root and flourish alongside the land they fought to see endure.”

Alan Schneider, Director of the B’nai B’rith World Centre, hailed the project as a long-overdue tribute to unsung Jewish heroes. “Unlike soldiers backed by armies, these rescuers were armed only with moral courage and a sense of shared destiny,” he said. “This grove adds a vital chapter to the story of Jewish heroism, one that resonates powerfully even today.

The grove will stand as a living memorial, an enduring reminder that even in humanity’s darkest hours, light can emerge from within.”