The goal of this event was to honour Jewish figures that played an immense role in saving other souls during the Second World War.

BRUSSELS—B’nai B’rith Europe held an event last Tuesday in Brussels honouring Maurice and Esta Heiber, two of the many Jewish figures that played an immense role in saving other souls during the Second World War. 

The ceremony was co-organized by B’nai B’rith Europe and CCLJ (centre Communautaire Laïc juif), in coordination with B’nai B’rith World Center – Jerusalem, JRJ – the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers During the Holocaust and L’Enfant Caché asbl.

The first part of the ceremony was introduced by former president of CCLJ, Menia Goldstein. It mostly covered the presentation of Shaul Harel’s autobiographical book release. Professor Shaul Harel, the former President of the Société Internationale de Neuro-Pédiatrie and a hidden child during the war, put down all his past experience into a book named ”Un enfant sans ombre” (A child without shadow). Former Dean of the ULB Medicine University and Belgian representative of O.M.S., Professeur Isy Pelc read a few paragraphs from the book’s introduction. President of ”l’Enfant Caché” asbl,  Adolphe Nysenholc joined a discussion with Shaul Harel, focusing on Shaul Harel’s childhood years, as well as the triggers that brought him to writing this book.

The ceremony continued with a  song called ”Mademoiselle” sang by Keren Hadar, in memory of Andrée Geulen-Herscovici, a Jewish Belgian teacher that saved around 4000 Jewish children during the Second World War. Afterwards, a short movie based on Siegi Hirsch – the husband of the adoptive daughter of Esta Heiber, Vania hirsch – was screened.

The second and final part of the ceremony was initiated by the Director of B’nai B’rith Europe, Hanna Kalmenson, welcoming Noa Ginosar, the Political Counselor at the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO. President of B’nai B’rith Europe, Serge Dahan handed the two “Jewish Rescuers Citation” certificates honouring Maurice and Esta Heiber to Vania and Siegi Hirsch’s grand-daugther. T

Among the attendees was Didier Reynders, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and of Defence.