The work of memory regarding to Aristides Sousa Mendes courage and abnegation was done and well done by the Aristides Sousa Mendes Fondation also abroad.
The Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation-US provides access to many very important books and films that are not distributed widely and provides an excellent opportunity to participate in discussions with producers and subjects of films and books. I thank the Foundation for giving me this access to knowledge.
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I hace just visited Aristides S.Mendes house in Portugal!
What a incredible and important museum specially nowadays!!!
I hope schools will start visiting it soon. What a incredible tool to change mentalities and to prevent a III World War!
Notable et placé dans la haute hiérarchie en étant Consul en France du Portugal et notamment à Bordeaux ; Aristides de Sousa Mendès , exerçait sous le régime de Salazar au Portugal et sous dictateur allemand hitler .
Il sauva entre 30 000 et 50 000 vies judaïques.
Il mourut dans une misère totale pour avoir sauvé des vies.
Mais Aristides le disait lui-même : « Je me fous de la pensée des hommes , il n’y a que celle de Dieu qui m’importe.
Osvaldo Correia
Just had the oportunity to visit the A. Sousa Mendes Museum, in Carregal do Sal, Portugal, noticing the amazing work that has been done. Congratulations!
This foundation strives to keep alive the memory of terrible events that, although historic, may be again in our doorsteps. And also the story of someone who risked all to protect and save innocents from persecution. This non-profit is a beacon of hope in the present and future and an example to all individuals.
The Sousa Mendes Foundation has brought the story of the amazing man to life by highlighting his selfless acts of courage which saved so many innocent lives during our dark history. Many many here and all over the world owe their existence to this unique personality who sacrificed everything to save Jews from a fate worse than death. The Foundation is to be praised for publicizing such a tzaddik a truly righteous gentile. May his memory be a blessing and may he rest in everlasting peace Amen.
I discovered this wonderful organization during Covid. Every Sunday, I participated via ZOOM to learn about various people who played significant roles in events of the Holocaust. This included rescuers, like Arisitides de Sousa Mendes, as well as other notable heroes. In my role as Board Member for the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, these weekly lectures/movies/book talks enabled me to learn more about figures that shaped history and provided safety and security to others.
The Sousa Mendes Foundation is one of the most important organizations to date for spreading the truth of the holocaust as well as today's resistors of genocide in its many forms. As much as my parents taught us about the oppression of the Jews and all other minorities, the Sousa Mendes Foundation has added umpteen volumes to that knowledge. I sincerely believe, they should be part of all conversations, at all political and social levels, concerning the deep humanity of all peoples.
The video presentations and following discusions about heroic actions of officials and ordinary citizens who helped save the lives of Jews during Nazi regime are inspring nad educational , honoring Aristides de Soausa Mendes.
I came across this wonderful educational organization site during covid. I look forward to each email I receive from the Sousa Mendes Foundation informing me of new film and discussion offerings. Now, whenever I receive an email from the Sousa Mendes Foundation, I am eager to find out what new films and discussions I will be offered. Many of the films are very personal. Many are about people or events I had no knowledge of. I encourage friends and family alike to participate in these unique offerings. Whenever I have had a question, the response is thorough and quick. I look forward to actually visiting the museum when next we are in Portugal. I hope that more people around the world will learn about, be in awe of, and be inspired by the actions of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a remarkable man, who has been largely overlooked by history.
Sousa Mendes Foundation-US is a spectacular organization that brings Holocaust awareness to millions through research, brilliant new documentaries and livestreamed panel discussions with creators and descendants. All presentations are easily accessible. Expertly curated, multiple events each month offer fascinating insights which enrich and guide present day life. Highly recommended! Thank you Sousa Mendes Foundation-US for your invaluable contributions to history, knowledge and understanding. -- Sharon Isbin, multiple GRAMMY-winning classical guitarist, Founding Chair The Juilliard School Guitar Dept.
The Sousa Mendes Foundation is an extraordinary organization that brings history to life and shines a light on the incredible heroism of Aristides de Sousa Mendes. Their dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of those saved by Sousa Mendes during World War II is truly inspiring. The foundation's events, resources, and educational programs are top-notch, offering deep insights into this remarkable chapter of history. The team is passionate, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to engage and educate. I highly recommend supporting and engaging with the Sousa Mendes Foundation. Their work is invaluable in keeping the spirit of courage and humanity alive for future generations.
In 2016 my mother, who was active in the Foundation, took us on their De Sousa Mendes pilgrimage tour through France, Spain and Portugal and it was outstanding in every way. Subsequently I attended live events and online film screenings and discussions and always found them to be worthwhile experiences keeping alive the memory of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a hero of conscience. Ad a results I have been a donor for many years and recommend them highly,
The Sousa Mendes Foundation has achieved a most relevant status in perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust and the stories of those who, like my parents and sisters, managed to escape Europe thanks to the altruistic attitude of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Portuguese Consul in Bordeaux, who knowingly jeopardized his own diplomatic career and even his personal wellbeing to defy a pro-Nazi dictatorial establishment in support of over 30.000 would-be victims, around one-third of whom were Jewish. The Portuguese authorities have finally recognized his exemplary role, and the efforts of the Sousa Mendes Foundations were key for that to happen. Israel, the USA and many other countries have followed the Portuguese steps. Actually, Some of them even preceded Portugal in that recognition.
As a former Holocaust educator on the college level for more than 30 years, and a volunteer educator in Lifelong Learning Institutes now, I have found the Sousa Mendes Foundation resources invaluable in enhancing the learning experience. The story of Aristides Sousa Mendes’ bravery, defiance to authority, compassion, and goodness are highlights of humanity during the Holocaust. The work of the foundation honors his memory of rescue and moral courage giving visas to thousands of refugees to enter Portugal and escape the horrors of Naziism. At this time, the Foundation is developing curricula materials for grades 6-12. In its quest to find more visa recipients the Foundation is fighting denial and revisionism of the Holocaust. Sousa Mendes paid a severe price for his disobedience to Salazar but today he is being recognized and honored globally thanks to the Foundation.
Joanne Tuck
I’ve visited the excellent exhibition in Peniche, Portugal this week and was very moved by all the information that was given to the audience in many ways- visual, sound- perfect.
Thank you for telling this hero noble man story.
During these troubled times when hateful speech & violence is on the rise, it’s so important to learn about the courage & decency of de Sousa Mendes. He risked his own safety & diplomatic career to defy hatred & help innocent people live. Truly an inspiration!
I have followed the work of the foundation for several years. I have recently connected with them to visit an extraordinary art installation overseas and was impressed with the scope. Dedicated to the heroic work of Aristides de Sousa Mendes the foundation deserves the greatest accolades and honor. Amir Cohen-Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Greater New Bedford.
This organization has dedicated itself to educating the world about the heroic action of a Portuguese diplomat who rescued thousand of people during WW2. By teaching our youth about moral courage, as demonstrated by Sousa Mendes, we hope to transform a generation of people into those who care/save/protect current-day refugees and families desperate to flee their dire circumstances.
As a Middle School History Teacher and a member of of the Aristedes de Sousa Mendes Foundation has afforded me the opportunity to develop and implement the learnings from this organization into my Lesson Plans
The Sousa Mendes Foundation is dedicated to honoring the memory of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a diplomat who saved thousands of lives during the WWII. He did the right thing even though it cost him his job and his living. Sousa Mendes chose to follow his moral conscience by signing thousands of false visas even though the dictator Salazar issued a directive not to.
I have learned about the life of Aristides De Sousa Mendes, a remarkable human being, through the Foundation. I was lucky enough to travel with the Foundation and walk in the footsteps of the refugees whose lives he saved. I am bringing his story to my students so that they will know you always have a choice and should choose to do the right thing even though it may not be the popular decision. Thank you.
In June 1940, my mother, 6 cousins and 4 uncles received visas for Portugal from Aristides de Sousa Mendes. these visas enabled them to escape from Bayonne and reach Porto on a sardine schooner! It is thanks to the act of conscience of this man, that I am here today. The Arisitides de Sousa Mendes Foundation has helped me and thousands of others discover and understand the hidden stories behind the chaotic escape of our parents and families from Europe in 1940.
Thank you to the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Foundation for your hard work and continuous drive to uncover these stories.
The Sousa Mendes Foundation promotes the legacy of the Holocaust hero Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Consul General of Portugal in Bordeaux, France when Germany invaded Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg on May 10, 1940. Sousa Mendes' act of selfless courage saved the lives of thousands of desperate refugees. My family was among those who received visas to neutral Portugal. The Sousa Mendes Foundation works to counteract Holocaust denial by telling the stories of those who were saved and who remember those members of their families who were trapped by the Nazis and did not survive.
Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat who rescued thousands of refugees in 1940, going against the illegal regulations of the dictator Salazar. He was punished and died forgotten and in poverty. The ASMF-US does valuable work to rescue and preserve the legacy of this unique rescuer and to build a community of the descendants of ASM, the descendants of the refugee families, holocaust educators, and other admirers of Sousa Mendes and his remarkable and courageous act of conscience.