Schindler in Persian: Iranian heroes who painted the Holocaust with light

Jerusalem Post ^ | Apr 12, 2026 | Benyamin Yakovian

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On Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026, under the quiet skies of a ceasefire and while the State of Israel and Iran remain signatories to a historic agreement, the Israeli heart seeks anchors of humanity within the most harrowing pages of history.

Precisely at this moment, as the tense silence replaces the flames, we are called to look toward figures who transcended the boundaries of nation, religion, and enmity to save humanity itself. This day is dedicated to the memory of those who created light within the darkness, proving that even in the bleakest of times, the human spirit is capable of rising above hatred and fear.

We focus on two extraordinary heroes: the diplomat Abdol Hossein Sardari, rightly known as the “Iranian Schindler,” and, alongside him, in the heart of Tehran, the righteous man of hessed (loving kindness), Hajji Yaakov Hay, who built an anchor of life and rescue. Their stories, interwoven with one another, prove that even when all around is dark, there are individuals who refuse to surrender to despair and pour hope into many hearts.

Dr. Abdol Hossein Sardari was born in Tehran in 1895 to a distinguished Iranian aristocratic family; his mother was the niece of the shah...

He served there as a consul – a man of the world with extensive connections in government and diplomatic circles, but also a man of deep moral conscience...

Thousands of Iranian Jews living in Paris began to face decrees, racial laws, and cruel persecutions. In contrast to many others who remained silent or collaborated, Sardari understood the true intentions of the Germans: total extermination. He did not stand idly by. He utilized his connections, his diplomatic status, and his brilliant legal mind to weave a web of trust and influence...

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Abdol Hossein Sardari

Hajji Yaakov Hay