p2-anne

__ Marie Benoit __ __ (Rescuer) __ Marie Benoit, born March 30 1895 and died on February 5 1990, was a very successful man. His full name being Padre Pierre Marie Bonoit, was a French Capuchin Monk. After being wounded in World War I he decided to help the struggling Jews. While in Marseilles, he and his fellow monks started an operation to smuggle Jews of an increasingly hostile France. This became a massive forging operation and they made thousands of fake documents right in their own basement of the Monastery. They made fake past ports, baptismal certificates, and other documents needed to help the Jews cross the border. With the collaborating help of Jewish organizations and members of the French resistance they got over 4,000 Jews successfully out of France and into Switzerland and Spain away from the South of France.

He soon traveled to Rome to seek help from the Pope to find ways to rescue/help more Jews and while there his office was raided by the Gestapo multiple times. Consequently he went into hiding. Waiting until Rome was then liberated before coming out again. Just after Rome was liberated he was given an official synagogue ceremony in honor of him and his accomplishments. He also received a medal of the righteous among the Nations for his courage and self-sacrifice.

Marie Benoit would be labeled as a rescuer during the holocaust. I would categorize him as this because as I said before he rescued over 4,000 Jews, therefore he would be a rescuer. His impact during the holocaust was changing the lives of the many Jews he helped. Not only the 4,000 Jews themselves but also their friends and families lives were also drastically changed. Marie risked a lot during these years doing many things that could easily put him in jail, but made it out on top. His sacrifices definitely paid off and made a significant impact during the years of the holocaust.

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