The Second World War was a time of great horror and wickedness. Millions participated in or were indifferent to the extermination of Jews during the Holocaust. But in the time of terrible darkness, there were great lights of love, kindness and unparalleled bravery. Irenda Sendler, a Polish Catholic is one of the great examples. In spite of the penalty of death that hiding a Jew carried, she smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the hellish Warsaw Ghetto. In 1943 she was caught by the gestapo, severely tortured and scheduled for execution. Only a large bribe by the Zegota (Jewish Council) saved her life and forced her to remain hiding for the duration of the war. Afterwards the puppet Polish Communist Government persecuted her. In 1965 she was recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. Sadly, a public campaign to have her receive the Noble Prize for her contributions have not been successful, which does not come as a surprise given the highly political nature of the committee. Perhaps if she was adept as President Obama in reading a teleprompter she would receive greater recognition?
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