Righteous among the Gentiles

The Righteous Among Gentiles, Yad Vashem
Official Award Medal, 5725-1965


The law which established "Yad Vashem - commemorating the Holocaust and heroism, "5723, 1 953" states in a special section that it is the duty of the Remembrance Authority to commemorate the deeds of the "Righteous among Gentiles who risked their lives in order to rescue Jews". Although there were not many to be found in the countries conquered by the Nazis, they were distinguished for their valour and acts of heroism, deserving to be honored as outstanding people to be remembered by future generations. A special commission, set up by "Yad Vashem", gathered evidence from survivors and endeavored to locate those who risked their lives in rescuing Jews, in order to bestow upon them the title "Righteous among Gentiles", to award them a special medal.

Obverse
Two hands clutching a rescue line spun from barbed wire strands. The barbed wire lines emerge from empty space but the rescue line enfolds the globe and serves as a handle by which to rotate it (a symbolic expression of the idea that it is deeds such as performed by the rescuers that make the world go around). The globe is surrounded by an inscription "He who saves one soul is like he who saved a whole world".

Reverse
Above, a schematic version of "Yad Vashem" and the memorial hill in Jerusalem. In the center, the Hebrew inscription "A token of gratitude from the Jewish people." Below, the French translation. Also the French translation of "He who saves one soul is like he who saved the whole world".

Edge
The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear the word "Silver 935" in Hebrew whereas the English either "Silver" or "Sterling".

Designer
Nathan Karp.

Engraving:
Kretschmer.

Mint
Bronze - Kretschmer.
Silver - Kretschmer and Hecht.
Copper-Nickel - Hecht.