The rescue of the Jews in October 1943

The helpers and their motives

Lecture by Associate Professor Emeritus of Contemporary History Therkel Stræde

The flight of the Danish Jews in October 1943 has become an important part of the history of the occupation and the collective memory in Denmark and abroad. The events have gradually been very well described in research and in literature with a broader scope. And the voices of the survivors are available on many platforms. On the other hand, we do not know much about those who decided to help the Jews when the Nazi persecution broke out. Who were they, which networks and environments participated in the relief work, and what motives did the individual helpers have for making an effort?

On the initiative of the 'Gedenkstätte Stille Helden' (part of the 'Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand' in Berlin), Therkel Stræde has taken a closer look at these questions. His book is now being published: "Diese unglücklichen verfolgten menschen. Hilfe für verfolgte Juden im deutsch besetzten Dänemark 1940-1945" (Lukas Verlag, Berlin, 2025). The book is a volume in the series THE SILENT HERO, which tells the story of help for persecuted Jews throughout German-occupied Europe. The book contains a general presentation and a number of cases. In the lecture, he will explain the book and present some of its most important results.

The lecture is held in collaboration with the Danish Jewish Museum and the Society for Danish Jewish History.

Therkel Strait

Therkel Straitis an associate professor emeritus in contemporary history at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. He researches and teaches mainly on the Holocaust and Nazism and is among the most prominent Danish Holocaust researchers. Stræde is also active in the Network for Nazism and Holocaust Studies, and is a member of the board of the Society for Danish Jewish History and part of the editorial board of the journal RAMBAM.

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