Israel Matzav: The Island whose Jews all survived the Holocaust

The Island whose Jews all survived the Holocaust

Mrs. Carl pointed me to this remarkable story of a small island in Greece whose Jews all survived the Holocaust.

On September 9 1943, the governor of the German occupation named Berenz had asked the mayor, Loukas Karrer, for a list of all Jews on the island.

Rejecting the demand after consulting with Bishop Chrysostomos, they decided to go together to the governor's office the next day. When Berenz insisted once again for the list, the bishop explained that these Jews weren't Christians but had lived here in peace and quiet for hundreds of years.

They had never bothered anyone, he said. They were Greeks just like all other Greeks, and it would offend all the residents of Zakynthos if they were to leave.

But the governor persisted that they give him the names.

The bishop then handed him a piece of paper containing only two names: Bishop Chrysostomos and Mayor Karrer.

In addition, the bishop wrote a letter to Hitler himself, declaring that the Jews in Zakynthos were under his authority.

Read the whole thing. It will make your day (and perhaps give you a new destination for your next vacation).

Israel Matzav: The Island whose Jews all survived the Holocaust