Per Faye-Hansen
Encyclopedia
Per Faye-Hansen was a Norwegian
pastor
who saved Jews
, risking his life, during World War II
.
for Jewish refugees. He meticulously arranged the escape of this group of Jews to Sweden
with the utmost secrecy. They were transferred by lorry to Asker
, outside Oslo
, where they were hidden in a house that belonged to the underground. They were then taken to several other hiding places, until they reached the Swedish border.
After the war, Faye-Hansen founded the Scandinavian Seaman’s Church in Haifa
and in 1969 in Ashdod following the establishment of the port. He also served for a number of years as priest for Norwegians in Israel
. Faye-Hansen subsequently published several books on Israel and religious themes. Throughout his life he remained committed to developing Norwegian-Israeli relations. He also founded the Carmel Institute (Karmel-Instituttet), an organization dedicated to "pointing out the fulfillment of prophecies in Israel today, and to proclaim it within the Nordic countries and in Israel."
reached the decision to award the title of Righteous Among the Nations
to the late Per Faye-Hansen of Norway. According to a press release from Yad Vashem, Faye-Hansen was recognized for his efforts during World War II in hiding Jews
in Norway and assisting in their escape to Sweden.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
who saved Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
, risking his life, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
World War II
In October 1942, Faye-Hansen organized a temporary hiding place in a flower shop in MajorstuenMajorstuen
Majorstuen is a neighbourhood in the Frogner borough in the western part of Oslo, Norway.Majorstuen is known for its vibrant downtown, especially its shopping area. The area has several elegant townhouses circa 1880-1890. The area is also an important public transport junction in Oslo, where all...
for Jewish refugees. He meticulously arranged the escape of this group of Jews to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
with the utmost secrecy. They were transferred by lorry to Asker
Asker
Asker is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Viken traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Asker. The municipality is a suburb of Oslo, the national capital...
, outside Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, where they were hidden in a house that belonged to the underground. They were then taken to several other hiding places, until they reached the Swedish border.
Post-war
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
and in 1969 in Ashdod following the establishment of the port. He also served for a number of years as priest for Norwegians in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Faye-Hansen subsequently published several books on Israel and religious themes. Throughout his life he remained committed to developing Norwegian-Israeli relations. He also founded the Carmel Institute (Karmel-Instituttet), an organization dedicated to "pointing out the fulfillment of prophecies in Israel today, and to proclaim it within the Nordic countries and in Israel."
Righteous Among the Nations
On March 11th, 2007, the Commission for the Designation of the Righteous Among the Nations at Yad VashemYad Vashem
Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953 through the Yad Vashem Law passed by the Knesset, Israel's parliament....
reached the decision to award the title of Righteous Among the Nations
Righteous Among the Nations
Righteous among the Nations of the world's nations"), also translated as Righteous Gentiles is an honorific used by the State of Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis....
to the late Per Faye-Hansen of Norway. According to a press release from Yad Vashem, Faye-Hansen was recognized for his efforts during World War II in hiding Jews
Norwegian Righteous among the Nations
During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, its Jewish community was subject to persecution and deported to extermination camps. Although at least 764 Jews in Norway were killed, over 1,000 were rescued with the help of non-Jewish Norwegians who risked their lives to smuggle the refugees out...
in Norway and assisting in their escape to Sweden.