Insight
Remembering Raoul Wallenberg
A new book reminds us how one person can make
a difference for the good of humanity.
SHARON LUCKERMAN
Staff Writer
IV
ithout a weapon, Raoul Wallenberg saved
100,000 Hungarian Jews from Auschwitz with
a most ingenious and daring plan. Before he
was finished, he disappeared into the Soviet
gulag; his whereabouts still are an international concern.
Wallenberg was honored at Yad Vashem, Israel's
Holocaust memorial center, as the most outstanding
Righteous Gentile. Some may be surprised to learn that
Wallenberg is a 1935 alumnus of the University of
Michigan. From an illustrious Swedish family of bankers,
diplomats and businessmen, Wallenberg — with his grand-
father's guidance — chose to study architecture at U-M.
Remembering Raoul Wallenberg — The University of
Michigan Celebrates Twentieth-Century Heroes, edited by Penny
Schreiber and Joan Lowenstein (University of Michigan
Wallenberg Executive Committee, $24.95), describes
Wallenberg and 11 distinguished medalists honored in his
name. Each story reflects the ability of one man or woman to
make a difference in the world.
Sixteen years ago, a committee was
formed in Ann Arbor to honor
Wallenberg. Members included
,--.
Wallenberg's sister Nina Lagergren of
Sweden; Andrew Nagy, a professor of
oceanic and atmospheric sciences at
the University of Michigan whose life
was saved by Wallenberg; and Irene
Butter, U-M economics professor
emeritus, a Holocaust survivor.
Six hundred people, many from the
Raoul Wallenbergs
Detroit and Ann Arbor area, started
U-M freshman
the Wallenberg endowment fund that
class photo.
established this lecture and medal
series, says Schreiber, who is also man-
aging editor of the Ann Arbor Observer. Eventually, they
received support from several foundations, including
TIAA-CREF, the Earhart Foundation, U-M, the Mosaic
Foundation and Charles and Rita Gelman.
As a result of the committee's efforts, Wallenberg's legacy
has been commemorated for the past 11 years with a medal
and a lecture by such humanitarians as Elie Wiesel, the
Dalai Lama, Helen Suzman, Miep Gies, John Lewis and
Marcel Marceau.
Each honoree's story in the book is a short, passionate,
refreshing experience for young and old readers alike.
The committee also made a decision, says Schreiber, "to
have great photography" of the honorees. And they do.
Photographer Jon Rush, a U-M alumnus who lives in Paris,
France, took most of the handsome photos of the
Wallenberg medalists.
The stories complement Wallenberg's own story, as
detailed in the first half of the book. From his halcyon days
12/28
2001
24
Remember
When •
From the pages of the Jewish News for
this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.
1991
El Sayyid Nosair, an Egyptian-born
Muslim, was acquitted in the mur-
der of Rabbi Meir Kahane.
The Israel Knesset stated that it
would not intervene in the Israel
Philharmonic Orchestra's decision
to perform works by Wagner in a
concert.
1981
The U-M Wallenberg Executive Committee, from left:
Andrew Nagy, Jon Rush, Myron Levine, Judy Lax, Kerry
Larson, Marysia Ostafin, Nina Lagergren, Jamie Beth Catlin,
Irene Butter, Mi Wernstedt, and Wallenberg's niece Nane
Annan, who. is the wife of the Secretary General of the United
Nations and Nobel prize winner Kofi Annan.
in Ann Arbor, Wallenberg was "known for his creativity
and courage," writes U-M President Lee Bollinger.
Who could imagine his later invention of a special Swedish
passport, the Schutzpass, which he courageously used in
Hungary to pull 20,000 Jews from trains heading for death
camps? And when Wallenberg needed a place to house the Jews
he saved, he found a way to place 35,000 Jews in buildings in
Budapest designed for less than 5,000. He declared them pro-
tected by Swedish diplomatic immunity — another invention.
The 10th Knesset in Israel now has
nine women members; five are
aligned with Labor.
The Vatican radio station and
newspaper criticized Israel for
annexing the Golan Heights.
Former First Lady Lady Bird
Johnson became an honorary mem-
ber of the National Ladies Auxiliary
of the Jewish War Veterans of
America in Austin.
1971
A 70-year-old blind Argentinian Jew
was slated to receive a $10,000 reward
for providing information that led to
the capture of Adolf Eichman.
Pianist Arthur Rubinstein was
officially admitted to the French
Academy of Arts.
Detroiter Eliot Stern was elected
president of the senior class at
Michigan State University.
1961
Wallenberg's Legacy Important
Recognizing that Wallenberg's courageous deeds provide an
important lesson for today, the committee is not only com-
mitted to the lectures and medals, but also to teaching
young people about his life.
In their outreach activities with students, "we try to help
distinguish between a celebrity and a hero," Schreiber says.
The committee's speakers probe into the differences
between what makes somebody important and what makes
them admirable.
"Knowing Wallenberg's story is nothing short of protect-
ing the world's future," says Schreiber, adding that, once
you learn about Wallenberg, the story grabs you and you
can't give him up.
As stated in the book's conclusion: "Remembering Raoul
Wallenberg allows us to dream that the intolerance and ter-
rors of the 20th century will not be repeated in the 21st."
To order Remembering Raoul Wallenberg, call the
University of Michigan Press at (734) 764-4392. Another
recent book on Wallenberg is A Conspiracy of Indifference,
by Alan Gersen, (Xlibres, $22.99).
❑
Rabbi Nathaniel Steinberg was
installed as the new spiritual leader
of the Livonia Jewish Congregation.,
The David Horodoker
Benevolent Society disbanded after
52 years of service.
Detroiter Morris Dorn was elect-
ed president of the Hebrew
Benevolent Society.
1951
Middleweight boxing champion
Ray Robinson was presented with
the Manischwewitz Foundation's
Benny Leonard Good
Sportsmanship Trophy.
The first volume of the new
Israel-America yearbook was sent to
President Truman.
—Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant