The Silent Heroes Memorial Center
in the German Resistance Memorial Center Foundation
Things To Do
This fascinating exhibition commemorates those people who supported persecuted Jews during the Nazi dictatorship. Die Gedenkstätte Stille Helden.
The example set by these helpers–often referred to as 'silent heroes'–shows that there was in fact leeway for manoeuvring to help people at risk in Nazi Germany and in the German-occupied territories.
At this exhibition, you can read first-hand stories, see original photographs and other documentation, telling multiple stories of how individuals stood up to the Nazi regime and saved thousands of people. There are even attempts on Hitler's life by these members of the public. All of these stories, successful and failed attempts for freedom and democracy by the men and women of Germany, are documented here.
Putting themselves at risk, these “silent heroes” provided food, obtained forged identity cards, helped people escape, arranged lodgings, or hid people in their own homes. Some of the helpers offered life-saving support of their own accord. They urged Jewish friends not to let themselves be deported and promised to help them survive if they went into hiding. Others became rescuers when they were directly asked for support by Jews or other helpers. Ideological and political motives played as much a role as did spontaneous feelings of sympathy. These helpers were able to overcome fear for their own and their families’ safety, in particular, their justified fear of the Gestapo.
HEADER IMAGE: Die Gedenkstätte Stille Helden
The example set by these helpers–often referred to as 'silent heroes'–shows that there was in fact leeway for manoeuvring to help people at risk in Nazi Germany and in the German-occupied territories.
At this exhibition, you can read first-hand stories, see original photographs and other documentation, telling multiple stories of how individuals stood up to the Nazi regime and saved thousands of people. There are even attempts on Hitler's life by these members of the public. All of these stories, successful and failed attempts for freedom and democracy by the men and women of Germany, are documented here.
Putting themselves at risk, these “silent heroes” provided food, obtained forged identity cards, helped people escape, arranged lodgings, or hid people in their own homes. Some of the helpers offered life-saving support of their own accord. They urged Jewish friends not to let themselves be deported and promised to help them survive if they went into hiding. Others became rescuers when they were directly asked for support by Jews or other helpers. Ideological and political motives played as much a role as did spontaneous feelings of sympathy. These helpers were able to overcome fear for their own and their families’ safety, in particular, their justified fear of the Gestapo.
HEADER IMAGE: Die Gedenkstätte Stille Helden
