Unsung heroes who saved lives during Holocaust

A closer look at the unsung heroes who saved lives during the Holocaust through daring relief missions.

Illustration by Febrina Tiara

By Clarisa Sendy and Novanka Laras

Saints and Liars: The Story of Americans Who Saved Refugees from the Nazis, by Debórah Dwork

Buy on Amazon

In June 1941, as the Nazi occupation of France entered its second year, a group of refugee children gathered on a train platform in Marseille. Clutching their meager belongings and wearing numbered tags for identification, they presented a haunting image of vulnerability. These children, many separated from parents who had already been sent to Nazi concentration camps, were waiting for a special train organized by the American Friends Service Committee. This initiative aimed to transport them to safety in the United States, away from the horrors of Nazi Europe.

This poignant moment is just one of many recounted in Saints and Liars by historian Debórah Dwork, a comprehensive exploration of the Holocaust through the lens of relief efforts. Dwork’s work spotlights both the refugees targeted by Hitler and the courageous American aid workers who risked everything to save lives. By focusing on specific locations, individuals, and years, she crafts a vivid narrative that reveals the human impact of the war as it unfolded across continents.

One such story is that of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, a Unitarian minister and his wife from Massachusetts. The couple arrived in Prague in February 1939, initially tasked with assisting refugees displaced by Hitler’s seizure of the Sudetenland. However, as the Nazi grip on Czechoslovakia tightened, their mission evolved. Martha expedited paperwork to relocate groups of children to London, while Waitstill engaged in clandestine activities, including currency exchanges, to help university students flee to England. Together, they facilitated the emigration of over 3,500 families, showcasing extraordinary bravery in the face of mounting danger.

Similarly, Moses Beckelman’s story illustrates the overwhelming challenges of relief work. Arriving in Vilna in October 1939 as a representative of the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Beckelman was tasked with aiding 15,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland. Faced with resistance from the Lithuanian Red Cross, which denied aid to non-citizens, Beckelman took charge. He secured clothing, housing, and meals for the refugees through an extensive network of dining rooms. Despite Soviet deportations to Siberia in 1940, Beckelman’s efforts helped approximately 3,500 refugees escape Europe, providing a glimmer of hope amid despair.

Shanghai, a rare haven for Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, also became a focal point for relief efforts. By 1941, the city had welcomed approximately 20,000 refugees, many arriving without visas. Laura Margolis, the JDC’s first female overseas representative, played a pivotal role in organizing aid. Despite facing gender-based discrimination from both her superiors and local leaders, Margolis modernized and expanded soup kitchens in the city. Her determination ensured their continued operation, even after her internment by Japanese officials. Through her ingenuity, Margolis provided sustenance and dignity to thousands in a city teetering on the edge of war.

Marjorie and Roswell McClelland’s work in Marseille adds another layer to Dwork’s narrative. Tasked with improving conditions in overcrowded internment camps, the couple also managed the difficult process of selecting children for transport to the United States. Marjorie, grappling with the moral weight of her decisions, reflected on the impossibility of impartiality. Her choices were deeply personal, shaped by the children’s appearances and demeanor. Though her actions saved many lives, they also underscored the harrowing nature of relief work during the Holocaust.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth and Robert Dexter, operating in Lisbon under the Unitarian Service Committee, navigated the complexities of aiding refugees in neutral Portugal. Lisbon, known as “Europe’s sole window to the west,” became a hub for those seeking escape. The Dexters provided food, shelter, and clandestine assistance to refugees lacking documentation, often employing covert means to secure their safety. Their efforts extended to intelligence work, as they were later recruited by the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA.

Dwork’s Saints and Liars underscores the uncertainty and moral ambiguity that permeated relief efforts during the Holocaust. The workers featured in her book often operated in legal and ethical gray areas, making split-second decisions that could mean life or death. As Dwork notes, their success depended on a willingness to bend rules and embrace deception for the greater good.

Beyond the individual stories, the book highlights the broader challenges of relief work amid the chaos of war. Refugees faced constantly shifting borders, hostile governments, and limited resources. Aid workers contended with logistical hurdles, bureaucratic red tape, and personal risks. Despite these obstacles, their unwavering commitment saved countless lives, offering a testament to human resilience and compassion.

The legacy of these efforts remains profound. The Sharps, Beckelman, Margolis, the McClellands, and the Dexters exemplify the best of humanity in the darkest of times. Their stories serve as reminders of the power of individual and collective action in the face of injustice.

As the Holocaust fades from living memory, works like Saints and Liars play a vital role in preserving these narratives. By bringing to light the stories of unsung heroes, Dwork not only honors their sacrifices but also inspires future generations to uphold the values of courage and empathy.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Dwork captures the essence of relief work during one of history’s most devastating periods. Her book stands as both a tribute and a call to action, urging readers to remember and reflect on the lessons of the past.

In the end, Saints and Liars is more than a historical account—it is a celebration of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and prevail. The tales of those who risked everything to save others remind us that even in the darkest times, acts of kindness and bravery can illuminate the path forward.

Share