“On this National Day of Remembrance, for the thousands of Poles who risked their lives to save Jews, we can only say: may their memory be a blessing for Poland, for the Jewish people, and for all humanity,” said Tom Rose, the U.S. Ambassador to Poland, in a video published on social media.
On March 24, Poland observes the National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Rescued Jews Under German Occupation. On this occasion, the United States Ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, paid tribute on social media to Poles who perished during the German Holocaust.
Rose addressed the Polish people and recalled passages from the Bible.
In a video published on the X platform, Rose said: “Today in Poland, the National Day of Remembrance is observed for Poles who risked their lives to save Jews during humanity’s darkest times. Those who chose courage over fear and light over evil. During the Nazi Holocaust, when the machinery of death consumed millions.”
“There were many here in Poland who risked everything they had – their homes, their families, and their own lives – to save Jews. Thousands of Poles died saving Jews, thousands. A great Jewish leader and dear friend once told me this: ‘The story of Polish courage can be found in the first two questions asked in the Bible. Both come from the Book of Genesis. The first question God asks humanity appears after observing Adam and Eve, who had defied Him. “Where are you?” He asks. Of course, God knew where they were physically. But He wanted to know: where are you when evil rises? Where are you when the innocent are persecuted? Where are you when doing what is right may come at a great cost?'” said the U.S. Ambassador to Poland.
He continued: “A few verses later, also in Genesis, Cain asks the first question from man to God, after murdering his brother Abel: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?'”
“Across Poland, in hundreds of towns and villages, in homes, barns, basements, and orphanages, thousands of Poles answered: Yes, I am my brother’s keeper,” Rose said.
“And to God’s first question, they answered: Here I am. Here I am. Even when it is dangerous – I am here. Even when no one is watching – I am here. Even when the price is my own life. Their conscience was their courage, and their courage was their strength. And because of that, thousands survived. And the name of Poland lives in glory,” the recording states.
Rose emphasized: “The truest way to honor all these patriots is to answer as they did: Here I am, and yes, I am my brother’s keeper. So on this National Day of Remembrance, for the thousands of Poles who risked their lives to save Jews, we can only say: may their memory be a blessing for Poland, for the Jewish people, and for all humanity.”