Aristides de Sousa Mendes Talk

Join us in the rare book library at the Avner Cohen Casa Chabad in Cascais for a fascinating and lesser-known aspect of World War II history.

As the Portuguese Consul General in Bordeaux, France, during the outbreak of WWII, Aristides de Sousa Mendes was confronted with the desperation of thousands of Jews trying to escape the horrors of the Nazi regime.

From May to June 1940, Sousa Mendes, took it upon himself to write visas that allowed thousands of refugees to exit France and transit through Portugal as they made their way to freedom in other parts of the world.  Aristides de Sousa Mendes is honoured at the National Pantheon in Lisbon.

Scholar Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld, along with Cookie Fischer will discuss this man's sacrifice and the historical implications for the thousands of people he saved.

Maximum: 23 Members