Descendants of man who saved thousands of Jews during World War II meet the growing families he saved

CHICAGO (CBS)– It’s a story that has been generations in the making. It began during World War II, when a Japanese diplomat risked everything to save the lives of thousands of Jews.

Fast forward to 2024, when here in Chicago, his loved ones met people who are alive today because of his courage.

Oriha Sugihara and Richard Salomon live in a world apart, but their story will bond them forever. Oriha’s great-grandfather was Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania with his family as World War II broke out.

“The compassion of helping someone, that’s our family philosophy, it’s such a natural thing to do,” Oriha said.

“Without him, we wouldn’t be here,” Rick said.

He saved the lives of more than 2,100 Jews by issuing transit visas that allowed them to leave Eastern Europe to safety.

Rick’s father and uncle were among the lucky ones who obtained these documents.

“We got lucky and he dared to do what was right,” Rick said.

It was a decision that cost Chiune and her family dearly, both at the time and years later. But his granddaughter Madoka Sugihara told CBS 2 through a translator, “For him, helping others and being of service to others was of the utmost importance.”

The story dates back to Kaunas, Lithuania in 1940.

“My grandfather loved playing the piano, and especially he loved playing Beethoven, so he played late into the evening,” Madoka said.

But early one July morning, something happened that would change the Sugiharas’ lives forever. Chiune’s wife, Yukiko, wrote it all down in a book.

“I couldn’t understand what was happening in front of me,” Oriha read from the book. “A crowd of people in front of our house. I will always remember their faces and their expressions. These people were terrified.”

They were Jews facing certain death at the hands of the Nazis. They begged Chiune to grant them transit visas to leave Lithuania. They were to head east through Soviet territory and Japan, where visas could be extended while they searched for countries that would welcome them. Many hoped to travel to the Dutch-controlled island of Curaçao, where no entry visa was required.

Chiune telegraphed Japanese authorities for permission, saying: “As a human being, I cannot refuse their requests.” Please allow me to issue them visas. »

Three times he was told: “Absolutely not.”

He did it anyway.

“He said he had no choice but to do it. He had to answer to a higher authority, to his own God,” Rick said.

For a good month, Chiune, with the help of his family, worked tirelessly day and night, signing and stamping visas. They weren’t legal, but surprisingly, no one noticed.

What he did ultimately cost him his job and his livelihood.

“He already understood that this wasn’t going to be the best thing for his career,” Madoka said.

“At one point he was penniless on the streets of Tokyo,” Rick said.

“There was no doubt that the decision he had made was worth all the hardships he had endured,” the book reads.

It was not until late in his life that Chiune learned how many people he had saved.

“I have a daughter,” Rick said. “She’s one year old. She’ll live a full life, God willing, and she’ll have her own family, and it’s all thanks to Mr. Sugihara.”

Rick’s son, Mark Salomon, belongs to another generation of Sugihara survivors. They are on a mission to keep history alive. And that’s why these documents, visas, files, photos and more are part of a permanent Sugihara exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie.

“Sugihara’s story demonstrates the diversity of Peo, who took a stand. What we call advocates, as opposed to bystanders, who chose to do nothing,” said Leah Rauch.

Rick, co-founder of the museum, sees his own story on the wall. His father received visa number 299. His uncle received visa number 27.

“The Talmud teaches that saving a life means saving humanity. He directly saved about 6,000 people. He signed about 2,138 visas, but many were entire families,” Rick said.

“If it weren’t for the righteous actions of your grandfather and great-grandfather, I would not be on this stage.”

This brings the story to an evening in late February at the Holocaust Museum’s humanitarian awards dinner.

“Consul General Sugihara dared to do what was right.”

Madoka and Oriha received an award honoring Chiune. Alongside them on stage were the descendants of some of the people Chiune saved, dozens of people who would never have been born without him.

“Tonight I have with me four generations of Sugihara visa holders, ranging in age from 92 years to 12 weeks,” Rick said on stage.

“The fact that I’m still able to become friends with the people and the descendants of the people he saved is the thing I’m most proud of,” Madoka said.

“Mr. Sugihara’s gift will continue to grow. It’s like planting a single tree and getting an entire forest,” Mark said. “He was the one who looked around and said no one else will do anything, so I will. It’s the most beautiful thing, and he gave life to countless people .”

Chiune Sugihara died in 1986. Two years before his death, he became the first Japanese citizen to be recognized as “righteous among the nations” by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel.