Australian Jewish News
November 20, 2013
Israel’s new Ambassador to Australia Shmuel Ben-Shmuel paid tribute to two Lithuanians who have just been declared Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem at a service marking the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht in Sydney on Sunday night.
Addressing the 650-strong crowd at the Great Synagogue in his first communal address since arriving in the country, Ben-Shmuel said that Josifas and Agripina Meskenas – whose son and grandchildren live in NSW – showed great bravery when the Jewish people were in their greatest hour of need.
“They risked their lives by providing asylum for a young Jewish girl escaping Nazi forces in Lithuania,” Ben-Shmuel said.
“The Talmud tells us that whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saves the entire world,” Ben-Shmuel said.
“The late Josifas and Agripina are a shining example to everyone here tonight and for all of humanity.”