24 Armenians Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust Honored in Jerusalem

Twenty-four Armenians who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust were honored this week in Jerusalem, as Israel marked Yom HaShoah. Their stories were brought to life through a special exhibition recognizing them as Yad Vashem’s “Righteous Among the Nations”—a title given to non-Jews who risked their lives to rescue Jews during the Holocaust.

The exhibition opened in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, at the Clergy Seminary Hall, drawing hundreds of visitors from across religious and cultural communities. Through photographs, archival documents, and personal testimonies, it told the stories of Armenian men and women who carried out acts of courage across Europe—including in Ukraine, Crimea, Austria, Hungary, and France.

Many of those honored shared a painful history of their own. Several were survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, yet chose to risk everything to save others facing persecution. Their actions showed a powerful sense of solidarity shaped by lived experience.

The initiative was led by Yisca Harani, director of the Religious Freedom Data Center, in cooperation with the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the local Armenian community. Among those in attendance were diplomats, religious leaders, students, and public officials, including Joel Lion and Jerusalem City Council member Yeela Bitton de Lange.

Organizers said the exhibition also reflects the deep historical ties between Armenians and Jews. Armenia has one of the highest numbers of individuals recognized as Righteous Among the Nations among countries where the Holocaust did not take place. Many of those honored had already endured the trauma of genocide themselves.

The exhibition also explored broader historical connections. Figures like Henry Morgenthau Sr. helped raise global awareness about the Armenian Genocide, while Franz Werfel brought international attention through literature. The concept of genocide itself was later defined by Raphael Lemkin, partly influenced by the Armenian case.

Several rescue stories stood out. Ashkhen Agopian, recognized in 2010 along with her daughters, helped hide and support a Jewish family during the Nazi occupation of Odessa. Her young daughter risked her own life by delivering food and clothing to those in hiding.

Another story highlighted the courage of Grigori Tashjian and Fran Tashjian, who sheltered Jewish children for years in Crimea. They repeatedly moved them between hiding places to avoid detection, protecting them throughout the occupation despite constant danger.

The exhibition also touched on Armenian involvement in resistance efforts in Europe, including the group led by Missak Manouchian, which united fighters from different backgrounds against Nazi forces.

At the same time, organizers acknowledged that political tensions remain. Israel has not officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, and concerns persist over Israeli weapons sales to Azerbaijan, which Armenians say were used during the recent war and occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Still, the focus of the exhibition remained on shared humanity. Organizers described it as both a tribute and a reminder—highlighting how, even in the darkest times, individuals chose to act with courage and compassion.

Plans are now underway to expand the exhibition to other cities across Israel, including Jaffa and Haifa, in partnership with local Armenian communities.

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