A Legacy of Goodness: French Rescuers During World War II

In 1943, Ruth Kapp Hartz, a young Jewish girl living with her parents in occupied France, faced daily double jeopardy, both from the Nazis and the French collaborators who would "denounce" Jews to the authorities. Two Christian families, the Fedous and Valats, sheltered Ruth (who assumed the name "Renee") and her parents at great risk to themselves. Over 50 years later Ruth returns to that small French village, revisiting her rescuers and their children, on a personal quest to find out what motivated them to risk all for people they hardly knew. In interviews, the rescuers talk about daily life during the occupation--the deprivation, hunger, and fear--and modestly turn aside praise, simply describing their actions as "the right thing to do." Some young people point out that a sense of shame led many French to cover up or deny the wartime collaboration, though today their eyes are slowly being opened to the truth--and they're learning about the heroic acts of rescue and resistance recalled in this video. Hartz is an author (My Name is Renee) and lecturer who regularly travels to schools to educate children about the lessons of the Holocaust. This video should be particularly effective in reaching that audience. Recommended for most Holocaust collections. [Note: Ruth Kapp Hartz's autobiography, Your Name is Renee, is also available for $11.95.] Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)