Preserving the legacy of Aristides de Sousa Mendes to honor family members lost

Matuzewitz family, Llodz, Poland

The  bitter and sweet memories both stay with us, with the dramas of the past stored quietly under better memories we collect as we move forward.

A month ago my friend Olivia Mattis shared a photo of 8 members of her family in Llodz, Poland, 5 of whom were murdered by Hitler.

We are so glad that other members of Olivia's family found Sousa Mendes in Bordeaux , 83 years ago today, and that Aristides's moral courage has inspired Olivia to do such great work to make his Act of Conscience known and to build the Sousa Mendes Foundation -US, for the last 13 years!

Obrigada Olivia Mattis!

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, diplomats and descendents of Sousa Mendes and of the families he saved at UN ceremony 2019

"The MATUZEWITZ family obtained visas from Aristides de Sousa Mendes in Bordeaux on May 31 and June 3, 1940 after a chance encounter on the streets of Bordeaux between Joseph MATUZEWITZ and Rabbi Chaim KRUGER, Sousa Mendes's right-hand man."

Matuzevitz visa 31-May-1940

CEIS20 estuda e discute a história do século XX, em Coimbra e online

CEIS20, o Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares do Século XX da Universidade de Coimbra e Memoshoá - Associação Docente e Memória do Holocausto organizaram três conferencias com o historiador Avraham Milgram associado ao Yad Vashem, parte do programa Nunca Esquecer. 

Segunda-feira, 22- Nov-21, 15h00 

Anti-semitismo, anti-fascismo e Holocausto nos países ibero-americanos, com acesso online  

https://videoconf-colibri-zoom.us/j/5150923713 

Foi importante ouvir ontem o Prof Milgram falar sobre a Sociedad Civil iberoamericana y Holocausto bem como os contributos da Prof. Elvira Azevedo Mea (que participou do programa online da ASMF sobre Barros Basto e os Marranos)  e do Prof. João Paulo Avelã Nunes do CEIS20, Falou-se do distanciamento da sociedade civil iberoamericana em relação à  crescente perseguição e guerra na Europa nos anos 1930's  e da erupção de tensões étnicas e religiosas não resolvidas, entre outros temas.  

Mariana Abrantes, da Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation - US  ofereceu  aos oradores católogos da excelente exposição sobre Aristides de Sousa Mendes patente nos Arquivos Nacionais do  Luxemburgo em 2019-2020.

Terça-feira 23-Nov-21  15h00 -  Tipologia dos diplomatas diante da perseguição aos judeus na Europa antifascista.  Esta conferência também deve ter acesso online. 

Contacto geral.ceis20@uc.pt

https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/83566010542

Sexta-feira, 26-Nov-21, 14h30 Caleidoscópio Judaico Português 1925-45, FLUC

Fontes:  https://www.uc.pt/iii/ceis20/ e https://www.memoshoa.pt/newsletter

Sousa Mendes Foundation promove eventos online para comemorar ASM 1940 - 2020

Encontros virtuais,  coragem real!  

Vamos comemorar juntos!

Impedida de reunir grupos ou partir em viagem como a Journey on the Road to Freedom para comemorar os 80 anos do Ato de Consciência do nosso herói Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Sousa Mendes Foundation - US juntou-nos online para partilhar histórias inspiradoras de coragem moral e resiliência.

Felizmente SMF encontrou mais histórias tão inspiradores e importantes como a de Aristides de Sousa Mendes. 

Histórias de coragem, de consciência, de altruismo, de superação, de resiliência. 

Favor ver abaixo a lista dos encontros SMF online e os links para os eventos realizados durante o confinamento Covid, quase todos os domingos  de abril a setembro de 2020.  A lista consiste principalmente de programas de "filme ou livro e discussão" com testemunhos, autores e especialistas.  

A SMF-US vai oferecer mais "programas de domingo" começando a 18-Outubro até ao final de 2020, que podemos acompanhar a partir do seu website   http://sousamendesfoundation.org/events/

PASSPORTS TO PARAGUAY (LADOS GROUP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_28ipm26oQ&t=1660s

May 10, 2020:  MY SISTER’S EYES (SOUSA MENDES)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAKGFPl35tY&t=1785s

PERSONA NON GRATA (SUGIHARA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8chusc0TvTQ&t=183s

TRUUS’S CHILDREN (TRUUS WIJSMULLER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29La0gegIzY&t=2s

AHEAD OF TIME (RUTH GRUBER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRmB4gYrF3k&t=23s

 

June 14, 2020:  NICKY’S FAMILY (NICHOLAS WINTON)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtGEpnLx8XI&t=989s

SECRETS OF THE GREEN SUITCASE (SOUSA MENDES)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBR9zXiE93M&t=3026s

THE POWER OF MUSIC (ALICE HERZ SOMMER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMf3Yqk0GXQ

ORCHESTRA OF EXILES (BRONISLAW HUBERMAN)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFAeeHsLp-k&t=1821s 

 

July 12, 2020: THE STARFISH (HIAS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PJG91A3HiI&t=1548s

DIPLOMAT HEROES OF THE HOLOCAUST (SOUSA MENDES AND OTHERS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1oRWz4u5Xw&t=27s

July 26, 2020 - CUBA’S FORGOTTEN JEWELS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytyoFbVFkPs&t=271s

DEFYING THE NAZIS: THE SHARPS’ WAR (THE UNITARIANS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj7z6dUPH14

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENED (ONE FAMILY SAVED BY ISLANDERS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8n_rrwFEw&t=168s

 

August 16, 2020 -  HORES OF LIGHT (POST-WAR IN ITALY)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtkyuq0AvA&t=4s

August 23, 2020 - HIDDEN CHILDREN AND THEIR RESCUERS (INDIVIDUAL RESCUE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dfS9fXGPgc

 

August 30, 2020 - CURIOUS GEORGE (SOUSA MENDES)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNso1OUuQ9I&t=2509s

DESTINATION SHANGHAI (FENG SHAN HO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Gybo1Cl0s

WHAT MAKES A HERO?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrqketlIk3U&t=2055s

DG Educação comemora Aristides de Sousa Mendes

Há 80 anos Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Cônsul português em Bordéus, concedia, desobedecendo às ordens de Salazar, milhares de vistos que possibilitaram a milhares de mulheres, homens e crianças, muitos deles judeus, a fuga para Portugal e daí para um destino de liberdade.

Esta não é uma história para esquecer, é sim uma história para contar.

https://www.dge.mec.pt/…/80_anos_-_aristides_de_sousa_mende…

Homenagem a Aristides de Sousa Mendes 

Aristides chegou mesmo a dar ordem aos consulados de Toulouse e Bayonne para que assinassem os vistos, deslocou-se a Bayonne e continuou, na rua, junto à fronteira de Hendaye, a tarefa hercúlea de atribuição de vistos. Esta não é uma história para esquecer, é sim uma história para contar. 

Para mostrar que o Ato de Consciência de Aristides de Sousa Mendes é um exemplo de luta contra a discriminação e de afirmação de valores de liberdade e solidariedade. 

Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Justo entre as Nações, título concedido pelo Yad Vashem em 1967, tem recebido a título póstumo várias homenagens e é agora a altura de o dar a conhecer aos mais novos. 

A Direção-Geral da Educação presta homenagem a Aristides de Sousa Mendes e desafia as escolas a associarem-se a esta comemoração, divulgando junto dos alunos esta figura única na História de Portugal e promovendo uma consciência e uma atitude critica de exercício de cidadania. 

Divulgação de sites e notícias 

No âmbito do Projeto UNESCO "Dever de Memória - jovens pelos direitos humanos", o Agrupamento de Escolas de Carregal do Sal, contando com a colaboração dos artistas Josefa Reis e Victor Costa, lançou o desafio on-line, sob o nome "SER Consciência...30/1000 por 1VIDA", para assinalar os 80 anos do ato de Consciência de Aristides de Sousa Mendes.   https://www.facebook.com/events/655380555027003/ 

No sentido de reafirmar o propósito de preservação da memória, associada ao ato de Consciência de Aristides de Sousa Mendes, voltamos a divulgar o link para as Recomendações para o ensino e aprendizagem do ensino do Holocausto aprovado pelospaíses membros da International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), da qual Portugal é membro efetivo desde dezembro de 2019. Este texto educativo constitui um documento de referência fundamental para os professores utilizarem na preparação desta temática e na elaboração de projetos ligados ao Holocausto e ao Antissemitismo. 

https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/IHRA 

Recommendations-Teaching-and-Learning-about-Holocaust.pdf 

Centrados na figura de Aristides de Sousa Mendes, divulgamos outros sites que podem ser importantes ferramentas para este propósito: 

Fundação Aristides de Sousa Mendes: https://fundacaoaristidesdesousamendes.pt/  

Museu Virtual (Fundação Aristides de Sousa Mendes): http://mvasm.sapo.pt/EV 

Museu Fronteira da Paz – Vilar Formoso
https://www.cm-almeida.pt/espacos-municipais/1678-2/memorial/ 

RTP Ensina 
https://ensina.rtp.pt/?s=Aristides%20de%20Sousa%20Mendes#

Yad Vashem: https://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/stories/mendes.html 

Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation - US  http://sousamendesfoundation.org/ 

Protecting democracy and human rights through active European citizenship

Protection of democracy, freedom and
human rights through active
participation of the European citizens

See presentation in http://hopeproject.gr/2/index.php/en/our-guests/speeches-presentations-participants/170-protection-of-democracy-freedom-and-human-rights-through-active-participation-of-the-european-citizens-mariana-abrantes

"'These are my people!' The Story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes", 6-February, Glen Cove, NY

Best wishes to the new Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation - US and its opening event
Data: Domingo, 6 de Fevereiro · 14:00 - 16:00

Local: Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
100 Crescent Beach Road
Glen Cove, New York
RSFF: Please RSVP to S.Gullo, silvanagullo@holocaust-nassau.org or call (516) 571-8040 ext. 107.
Contacts:  info@sousamendesfoundation.org, www.sousamendesfoundation.org

Aristides de Sousa Mendes rescued an estimated 30,000 people from the Holocaust against the direct orders of his government and was harshly punished for his action. The exhibition interweaves the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes with that of the refugees, while chronicling major events of the Second World War. The opening event on February 6th will feature a conversation between Sebastian Michael Mendes, grandson of the hero, and Sousa Mendes visa recipients, moderated by the exhibition curator, Dr. Olivia Mattis.

The exhibition now is at new localtion in Mineola:

• Where: Mineola Memorial Library, 195 Marcellus Rd, Mineola, NY 11501 (Auditorium)
• Date: February 10, 2011 until April 2, 2011, normal library hours 
• A new exhibit will be featured at the Mineola Library beginning Thursday, Feb. 10 running through April 2 focused on Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat to France who issued 30,000 visas to Jews and others fleeing Germany during WWII.

• Mendes was stripped of his diplomatic credentials because of his actions and the story was suppressed under the fascist dictatorship in Portugal.

  The curator of the exhibit is the granddaughter of a 7 year old boy whom Mendes saved.

  The exhibit will be held in the library auditorium.

  Please note the auditorium is subject to closing for other library events. Please call  for confirmatin before coming in for viewing.  

• Website: http://www.nassaulibrary.org/mineola
• Phone: 516-746-8488
• http://www.sousamendesfoundation.org/exhibition/

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191593364184946
VER http://correiodominho.com/noticias.php?id=42574 ; VOX; MassepequaPost

The Story of Sousa Mendes in Nassau County, 6-February to 26-March 2011

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County in partnership with the Sousa Mendes Foundation is inaugurating an exhibition: "'These are my people!' The story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes." The exhibition will open on Sunday, February 6th, 2011 with a special event from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and will run until Saturday, March 26th, 2011. The exhibit will be held in the Holocaust Center's newly renovated temporary exhibit gallery.

Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul in Bordeaux, France during World War II, is credited with saving an estimated 30,000 lives in 1940. Portugal was officially neutral, but its dictator, Antonio Salazar, was privately pro-Hitler and was opposed to letting Jews into his country; he issued a directive, known as "Circular 14," barring refugees from entering Portugal. But Sousa Mendes disobeyed. At great personal peril he decided to issue visas to anyone who asked, free of charge, regardless of race, religion or nationality, and he was harshly punished for this action. Posthumously he was awarded the title of "Righteous Among the Nations" by the Israeli Holocaust authority, Yad Vashem.

The exhibition interweaves the story of Sousa Mendes with that of the refugees, while chronicling major events of the Second World War. The opening, on February 6th, will be in the presence of Sebastian Michael Mendes, a grandson of the hero and an artist, along with recipients of life-saving Sousa Mendes visas. The event will feature a conversation moderated by Dr. Olivia Mattis, curator of the exhibition, and herself the daughter and granddaughter of Sousa Mendes visa recipients.

The mission of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County is to teach the history of the Holocaust and its lessons through education and community outreach. Its programs are provided to schools throughout Long Island and the five Boroughs free of charge, and its unique Tolerance Workshops fight bullying in schools, workplaces and throughout the community.

Dates: 6-February to 26-March-2011

Place: The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center is located on the Welwyn Preserve at 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542. Please visit www.holocaust-nassau.org for directions.

Contact: For more information please contact info@sousamendesfoundation.org

The Sousa Mendes Foundation US, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Aristides de Sousa Mendes and to educating the world about his good work, has a two-fold mission: raising funds for the restoration of the Sousa Mendes family home and the creation within its walls of a museum and memorial site; and sponsoring US-based projects that perpetuate his legacy.