The Museum of the Jewish Soldier In World War II
World War II – Historical background In World War II the Jewish people fought for survival
One third, about six million, perished The Nazi aggressors were finally defeated by the allies led by the forces of the UK, the British Commonwealth, the USSR and USA In all those forces served about
1.5 million Jewish fighters Tens of thousands more fought as partisans About 250,000 gave their lives in the struggle The Jewish people played a vital role in the fight against the forces of Nazi Germany and the axis powers
Facts & Figures Country
Served
Killed
USA
550,000
10,500
USSR
500,000
200,000
Poland
122,000
31,126
UK
62,000
2,763
Palestine
40,000
688
France
35,000
Canada
17,000
429
200
South Africa
10,000
357
100
5,500
Australia
3,900
140
Greece
3,000
613
Yugoslavia
36,352 160,772
2,245
-
Czechoslovakia
Decorated
-
700
43 90
2,500 and about 5,000 more as Partisans
Belgium Holland New Zealand
These figures do not include Jewish resistance and partisan fighters except for Yugoslavia. The number of Jewish partisan and resistance fighters in enemy occupied parts of the USSR and in the rest of Europe about 90,000.
The Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II We are happy to introduce you to The Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, which we are currently establishing in Yad Lashiryon site in Latrun, on the main road between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem. This challenging and unique project has several purposes: First and foremost, to tell, as graphically as possible, the story of the role played by the Jewish soldiers who fought in the Allied Armies and the Partisan forces during the Second World War, in defeating Nazi Germany and the other Axis powers (Italy and Japan). The second purpose is to stress the heroism of those Jewish Soldiers during one of the most tragic eras in the history of our people, to show the contribution they made to the establishment of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), to our victory in the War of Independence and the emergence of the State of Israel. And last, but not least, to have the Museum serve as an educational focal point for children and young people and for future generations to come. On May 9th, 2002, the Government of Israel took a decision, to allocate matching funds for the establishments of the Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, and to join forces with the Association that was especially founded for that purpose, supporting thus, the implementation of this historical initiative. In addition, it was decided to set it at the Yad LaShiryon Memorial site in Latrun and that the management of the site, will head the project. The cornerstone laying ceremony took place at Latrun on September 4th, 2002 in the presence of the President of Israel and members of the Government. This decision was reinforced with a similar one, taken by the Government on January 7th, 2007, where also a ministerial committee, was nominated to accompany the project on behalf of the government. The agreement between the Association and the Government was signed on early January 2008, a date which marks our embarking on the path of implementation. We regard this museum as a unique institution in the world. It will highlight a neglected chapter in the history of the Jewish people Heroism alongside the Holocaust, to right the wrong done to the memory of the 1.5 million Jewish fighters who fought and prevailed in the Second World War. The Concept of the Museum is already crystallized, following a profound learning and examinations process we have taken. It will
describe the role played by the Jewish fighters in battles fought by Allied armies in Europe, Africa, and the Far East. It will tell the story of the partisans and ghetto fighters who resisted the Nazis. It will tell the stories of senior Jewish commanders who were decorated for their courage, of Jews who contributed to the development of new armaments, of residents of Eretz Israel during the British mandate who volunteered to serve in the British army, and of various units in the Allied armies that were made up mostly of Jews. All this will be told by means of maps, films, photographs and displays of model figures from the Allied armies, their uniforms, flags, medals, decorations and combat weapons. From time to time the displays will be altered as new material comes in. The central wing of the Museum will be devoted to the memory of the quarter million Jewish fighters who fell in the war. For this wing we shall try to collect material and, as far as possible, record the names of the fallen and tell the story of their lives and when, where and how they died. A third of the Jewish people (six million) perished in the Holocaust, but 1.5 million of them enlisted to fight the foe a higher percentage than most of the Allied nations! For a long time we were not aware of this fact and we did not teach it to our children or bring it to the attention of the world. The time has come to repair this omission. The Museum will be set up with the cooperation of the Government of Israel, the Yad Vashem museum, the IDF Retired Servicemen’s Organization (“Tzevet”), and veteran's organizations in Israel and abroad. The project’s task force is headed by Brig. General (ret.) Zvi Kan-Tor, supported with a team of experts in various fields. The team has already outlined the principles of a plan and the concepts, approved by the General Assembly of the Association, and recently had commenced the practical design of the museum. Dear Friend, As sons and daughters of the Jewish people, wherever we are, we are all honor-bound to enroll ourselves in the task of establishing the Museum that will portray this central and important chapter of our history to pay homage to the fighters, to commemorate the sacrifice of those who fell. We are looking forward to cooperate with you on this challenging project, hoping that you share with us the feeling of both pride and moral duty in making this vision a reality.
The Museum of the Jewish Soldiers in World War II International Board of Trustees International Board
Mr. Eli Weisel (USA) Mr. Stuart e. Eizenstat (USA) Mr. David Azrieli (Canada) General Major (Ret.) Gregory Krushner (Russia) Mr. Zvi Meitar (UK) Sir Martin Gilbert (UK) Mrs. Gail Seal (UK)
Israeli Board
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Amnon Lipkin-Sahak Mr. Arie (Lova) Eliav Major General (Ret.) Amos Lapidot Mr. Dani Karavan Prof. Moshe Arens Major General (Ret.) Menachem Einan Major General (Ret.) Natti Sharoni Dr. Meir Rosenne Prof. Shlomo Aharonson Major General (Ret.) Shlomo Shamir Mr. Uzi Peled Prof. Yoav Gelber Major General (Ret.) Zeev Almog
Representatives of organizations o o o o o o
Mr. Avner Shalev, Chairman, Yad Vashem Dr. Baruch Levi chairman, the 'Tzevet' organization Mr. Roman Yagel, President, the Association of Wounded Soldiers Mr. Yohanan Peltz, Chairman, The Eretz Israel Soldiers' Organization Mr. Avraham Grinzeid, Chairman, the 2nd World War Veterans' Organization Mr. Baruch Shuv, Chairman, The Partisans Organization
Representatives of the Association for Establishing the Museum Of the Jewish Soldier in World War II o o o o o o
Major General (Ret.) Chaim Erez, Chairman Brig. General (Ret.) Zvika Kan-Tor, CEO Brig. General (Ret.) Dr. Ytzhak (Tolka) Arad Adv. Haim Adini Mr. Benny Michaelson Dr. Motti Kfir
o
Dr. Mike Kish
Representatives of the Government of Israel
The Museum site at Latrun, Israel
The Museum Components
No. 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Spaces Arrival & Departure Lane Entrance & Assembling Hall The Introduction Wing The European Wing 1939-1941 Eastern Europe & USSR Wing The American Wing The Pacific Arena Wing The Partisans, Ghetto Rebels & Underground Wing The Eretz Israel Wing The Struggle from survival to Independence Wing 1945-1949 The Remembrance Area Seasonal Exhibition Gallery Auditorium Research Center Library Meeting Room Administrative & Office Area The Museum Store & Cafeteria Observation Deck Ceremonial Plaza
Support Us The Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II relies on the generous gifts from donors across the world to support its efforts to honor the memory of Jewish Soldiers who fought in the Allied Armies and the Partisan forces during the Second World War, in defeating Nazi Germany and the other Axis current powers. Through your charitable gift to the Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, currently under establishment, you will help us make this important institution a reality. Your contribution can help ensure that the heroism of those Jewish Soldiers during one of the most tragic eras in the history of our people will be honored, remembered, learned and taught, not only now, but for future generations to come. It is through your generosity that we will be able to show the contribution the Jewish Soldiers made to the establishment of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), to our victory in the War of Independence and the emergence of the State of Israel. Every gift of any size makes a difference and is valued. Tribute gifts are entirely tax deductible. U.S. tax deductible contributions of at least $25 may be sent (and must be made payable) to P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc., 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 607, New York, NY 10017 with a recommendation that it be used for us. For more information about how you can support the Museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, Please contact our External Relations Division: Ex.Relations@ jwmww2.com Tel: +972-3-7360027 Visit our website: www.jwmww2.com
The Israel Philatelic Service has issued stamps the above illustrated stamps dedicated to the struggle of the Jewish people during World War II:  Left: The Jewish Partisan and Underground Fighter stamp  Right: The Jewish Soldier in the Allied Forces stamp
The Official Medal in Honor of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, issued by the Israel Government Coins & Medals Corporation
The Jewish Soldier in World War II The Jewish Soldier Questionnaire
Dear soldier, This questionnaire will be used as input in the computerized information system in the web of the Jewish Soldier in World War II – www.jwmww2.org This will also be used as a basis to the data of the museum of the Jewish Soldier in World War II, which will be established in Yad Lashiryon site in Latrun -Israel. If possible, please attach photos, documents, testimonies and other exhibits which are related to the war. In case the space given in the questionnaire is not sufficient, it is possible to add an attachment. For more details and clarifications, contact Tel. 972-3-7360027, Fax. 972-3-6350767, E-mail: veteran@jwmww2.com. Please send the questionnaire and the attached material to The Association for Establishing of the Museum of the Jewish Soldiers in World War II, 9 Sapir St. Ramat-Gan 52622, Israel. For your information: We recommend you to read the form before filling it. Personal Information Surname ______________________ Given Name ______________________________ Relationship to the Soldier___________________ Address: City ________________Street ___________________Number____________ Postal Code ___________ Country __________________________________ Telephone ___________________ Fax _______________________________ E-mail __________________________________________________________ 1. The Soldier's Personal Information A) Surname (Hebrew & Foreign) ___________________________________________ B) Given Name (Hebrew & Foreign) ________________________________________ C) I.D. Number __________________________________________________________ D) Former Surname (Hebrew & Foreign) ____________________________________ E) Nickname________________________ F) Father's Name_____________________ G) Mother's Name ___________________ H) Hebrew Birth Date _____________________ I) Gregorian Birth Date_____________________ J) Country of Birth ___________________ K) City of Birth ______________________ L) Date of "Aliyah"____________________________ Soldier's Address: M) City______________________N) Street___________________ O) Number _______________ P) Postal Code _______________Q) Country _________________ R) Telephone ________________ S) Fax ____________________ T) E-mail _____________________________________________ Please include Photos with the material sent. We kindly ask you to provide a photo of the soldiers from the time of the war as well as an updated one.
2. Fighting the Nazis and the Axis Countries A. Service in a regular Army _______________________________________________ B. Service in an underground movement ____________________________________ _____________________________________________ C. Participation in Partisan combat in the woods ____________________________________________ D. Participation in combat and activities in the ghetto _________________________ ____________________________________________ E. Participation in developing weapons______________________________________ F. Participation in a protest movement ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Reason for recruiting: G: Volunteering ___________ H: recruitment ____________ I: Reason for ending my active duty _________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Details of Military Service A. Country ______________ B. Corps _________________ C. Unit________________ D. Rank ______________ E. Duties __________________________________________ F. In which fronts did you fight? ____________________________________________ G. Dates _________________________________________________________________ H. In which combats / operations did you participate?_________________________ I. Injuries, Where? Why? The Front Combat / Operation Date Medal Details ____ _______________________________________________________________________ J. Captivity _______________________________________________________________ 4. Details of Service in the I.D.F A. Corps___________________________ B. Unit _______________________________ C. Date of recruiting _______________________________________________________ D. Rank ____________________________E. Place of service _____________________ F. Date of retirement _________________ G. Participation in military operations________________________________________ 5. Details of Death / Falling of the Soldier A. Place __________________________ B. Date _________________________________ C. Description _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Date of captivity /the cause /The place /Name of camp _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Did you fill out Jewish Soldier questionnaire in the past? Yes / No?
Date ______________
Name
Signature
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We thank you for sharing with us the information!
Appendix 1st Decision of the Government of Israel To establish a Museum for the Jewish Soldier in World War II, at Latrun (May 2, 2002)
2st Decision of the Government of Israel (May 9th, 2004)
3rd Decision of the Government of Israel (2007)