BESA Photos Transferred to Albanian Islamic Cultural Center

BESA Photos Transferred to Albanian Islamic Cultural Center

On May 31, 2016, the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center accepted the transfer of the BESA collection of photographs from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum.

BESA: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II is a set of photographs by Norman Gershman. It tells the story of Albanian Muslims who sheltered Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. At great risk to themselves and their families, compelled by their traditional honor code of BESA, they saved the lives of nearly two thousand Jews.

Sponsored by The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum
and The Albanian Islamic Cultural Center
in cooperation with The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
and Wagner College.

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BESA Exhibit at S.I. Albanian Mosque

BESA Exhibit at S I Albanian Mosque

The photo exhibit BESA, documenting the role of the Albanian Muslims in saving Jews during the Holocaust, will be permanently exhibited at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center of Staten Island. On May 31, 2016, in an historic event, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum formally transferred the BESA Collection to AICCSI in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of NY and Wagner College. The Wagner College Holocaust Education Center will work with AICCSI to create programs for youth and community members of all ages in the tri-state region. “BESA: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II” is a set of photographs by Norman Gershman that captures the mutual respect and code of hospitality that underpinned the rescue of over 2,000 Jews from Albania, Greece, Austria, Germany and Italy who found refuge in the homes of Albanian Muslim families. Watch BESA Exhibit at S I Albanian Mosque
Video thumbnail 2 BESA Exhibit at S I Albanian Mosque