Descendants of Holocaust Survivors Meet Their Hero

Shiwen Rong
By Shiwen Rong
May 25, 2019New York
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On May 22, survivors that were saved by a Japanese Diplomat and their descendants could meet his son and show their gratitude for his father’s selfless acts that saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. This event took place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

“Without his father, I won’t be there today.” said the son of a survivor.”Out of his all family, he was the only one survived.”

It was a bittersweet moment for many survivor families.

“So for me, it’s hard to describe…if you wouldn’t be alive without someone…” said Chaim Jaskoll.

He is the grandson of Saul Jaskoll, who survived the Holocaust because of Chiune Sugihara.

Chiune Sugihara is one of the diplomats who risked their jobs and family’s lives to save the Jews by issuing transit visas during WWII.

His act of kindness has saved thousands of Jews.

“Because he did what his conscience told him to do, even though he was told not to. I think that teaches us lessons,” added Chaim. “And sometimes you have to do the right thing and I think we can all learn from that.”

Today, many families take their descendants to show their gratitude to Sugihara’s family and hope to pass down this historical lesson to future generations.

“It’s really a role model for how people should behave,” said Shelly Jaskoll Anciska, the daughter of Saul. “These days are more important than ever.”

“For the generation, the young generation to grow up and you know what the history is, what their background is, what the heritage is, and what kind of people who went above and beyond what was necessary to save another soul,” said Hannah Jaskoll, Saul’s daughter in law. “That is what the message I want to give my children my grandchildren and the world.”

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