Tomorrow, January 27, 2013 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The theme this year is built around the theme of "Rescue During the Holocaust: The Courage to Care"
In 2012, the San Francisco Chinatown Historical Museum and the Consulate of Israel in San Francisco presented an exhibit, “On the Wings of the Phoenix: Dr. Feng Shan Ho and the Rescue of Austrian Jews”, as part of the Israel China Cultural Festival 2012.
Austria was annexed to Nazi Germany in March, 1938. The nation then had about 185,000 Jewish citizens, who were subjected to terrible pressures. Jews wishing to leave Austria were required to have entry visas or boat tickets to another country. The majority of the world's nations (including, to my shame, the United States) maintained very restrictive immigration policies.
At that time, Feng-Shan Ho was the Chinese consul-general in Vienna. Ignoring demands from his immediate superior, Ho issued visas to Shanghai to all who asked for them.
It was only after his passing that evidence by survivors who benefited from Ho’s aid began to reach Yad Vashem. After carefully evaluating the case, the Commission for the Designation of the Righteous decided to award Feng-Shan Ho the title of Righteous Among the Nations for his humanitarian courage in issuing Chinese visas to Jews in Vienna in spite of orders from his superior to the contrary.Feng-Shang Ho is one of two Chinese recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations". Remembering my father, Dr Feng Shan Ho -- an address by his daughter, Manli Ho
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