Chiune Sugihara

Chiune Sugihara. Probably not a house hold name. No need to go to google, I will explain who he was. But before I do, I'm going to take a minute to ramble about a few other things. I've been in a Holocaust course this semester, and unlike the majority of courses I have taken during my college career, this one has really had an impact on me personally. It has made me think and question things. Not just about Americans and Germans and Jews that were alive during the 1940's, but about myself and my peers. Not all college classes can say that. Anyway, back to Chiune Sugihara.

A very long story short[although trying to condense this story I know is going to prove to be a challenge], Chiune was born on January 1st, 1900 in Japan. He grew up and eventually became a ambassador for Japan and was transferred to Lithuania in 1938, right before the outbreak of World War II. During his stay in Lithuania, He recognized Hitler's extreme hatred for the Jews. He along with a few local Jews devised a plan to get passports and get out of Lithuania while they still could, Chiune was capable to giving these Jews passports to travel across the Soviet Union, Japan and eventually coming to two islands that agreed to harbor these Jews as long as was needed. Chiune was at a crossroads. He knew that if he began issuing these passports, he would be fired and he would risk he and his wife living in poverty for the rest of their lives. He did it anyway. With the help of his wife, they wrote out 300 passports per day for 27 days before they were caught and deported. Even while on the train bound for Japan, Chiune leaned out of the window, throwing handfuls of passports out to Jews who were running after the train.

This story really has had an impact on me. He knew he was putting himself and his wife in danger by his actions, but he did what he felt convicted to do. I wish I could say without a doubt that I would do the say thing if I were put into his position. But the truth is that I do not do what is right with the little things. I do not always follow my convictions. I at times choose the easy way rather than the right way.

There is a Holocaust museum in Israel, called Yad Vashem. At Yad Vashem, there are trees planted for the "Righteous among the Nations", these are individuals, Jews and Gentiles, who help Jews try and escape the Holocaust. Each tree is accompained by a plaque that states who the tree is in honor of.

There are 600 trees.

There are 22,000 cases pending for more trees to be planted in others names.

Chiune Sugihara just recently had a tree planted in his honor.

It is estimated that 4500 people survived the Holocaust because of his efforts.

I do not forsee myself doing anything that is anywhere near as courageous as what Chiune did. But I do hope that with the opportunities that I am presented with and the situations I find myself in that I follow what God has convicted me to do. I encourage you to do the same. Just something to think about.