Holocaust Hero: A Tree for Sugihara

In times of stress, ordinary men and women sometimes rise to levels of extraordinary courage. This video looks at one such: Sempo Sugihara, a diplomat sometimes remembered as the Japanese Schindler for his aid in helping over 6,000 Jews flee the Nazis. Sugihara was an unlikely hero. Fluent in Russian, Sugihara was posted to Lithuania to keep Japan informed about Russia's intentions on the eve of WWII. Unexpectedly, Jews sought sanctuary on the grounds of the Japanese embassy. Sugihara acted quickly, protecting them and processing visas, allowing them to leave the country for asylum in Japan. Although an obedient public servant, Sugihara defied the wishes of the Imperial Japanese government, thereby curtailing his diplomatic career. After the war Sugihara was honored with a tree planted in his memory, citing him as one of the Righteous among Nations. The tree stands today at Jerusalem's Yad Vahsem's shrine to Holocaust victims. The video features interviews with Holocaust survivors, scholars, and Sugihara's son Hiroki, who recalls his parents as humane figures in inhumane times. The documentary compares and contrasts Sugihara with Schindler, leaving the viewer to reflect on the power of conscience. Though brief, this informative, thought provoking video deserves a place in Holocaust collections. Recommended. (S. Rees)