70 years since the Jewish rescue action in Denmark, and the tragic end of 68 Jews in Gilleleje.

As a tribute to the commemoration of the 70th year since the 'Jewish Action' in Denmark, in which the Danish people worked to rescue their Jewish fellow countrymen from the clutches of the Nazis, KKL Denmark contributed a gift to the city of Gilleleje.

Three Malus trees planted by the Gilleleje Church.  Photo: Courtesy KKL Denmark

KKL Denmark President Mr. Ulf Haxen. Photo: Courtesy KKL Denmark

Most of Gilleleje's Jews were rescued and shipped to safety in Sweden, but the little fishermen's town is also the place of a tragic failed escape, where 68 Jews hiding in the attic of the local church were discovered by the Nazis and sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp.

A planted American Ash tree. Photo: Courtesy KKL Demark.

KKL-JNF’s gift was coordinated with the local authorities, the Gilleleje Church parish council, artists and landscape architects. Seven memorial-stones with Hebrew inscriptions, words and symbols will be placed in several locations in Gilleleje; near the church, by the harbor and at several of the original hiding places. 

A number of 'Peace Trees' have been planted near the church. After careful deliberation and discussion regarding the trees' placement maintenance, resilience and growth-patterns, it was decided to plant American Ash and Malus Crab Apple trees. 

KKL Denmark's donation to the project was funded by a bequest of Gerhard Herzog, a German Jew who himself was rescued in Denmark and shipped to Sweden in October 1943. 

The gift from KKL-JNF was dedicated on October 6th at a beautiful memorial service in Gilleleje.