When Vienna-born Jew Eric Schwam recently passed away at the age of 90, he left an unusual bequest. He left the small fortune he’d managed to save up in a lifetime working in the pharmaceutical field to Le Chambon sur Lignon, a town of fewer than 2,500 people in southeastern France. Eighty years ago, the residents of Le Chambon sur Lignon saved the life of Mr. Schwam as well as thousands of other Jewish refugees during the darkest days of the Holocaust.
Mr. Schwam was just thirteen years old when he arrived in Le Chambon sur Lignon with his parents and grandmother in 1943. Little is publicly known about the family’s journey other than the fact that when they arrived in France they were imprisoned in France’s notorious Rivesaltes Camp, near France’s border with Spain. France’s Nazi collaborationist Vichy government banished approximately 8,000 Jews, Gypsies and other “undesirables” to Rivesaltes. Many were sent from there to Auschwitz and other extermination camps. The camp was closed in 1942 and most of the remaining Jewish prisoners were sent to their deaths; it’s not known how the Schwam family managed to escape.
They made their way to Le Chambon sur Lignon in 1943. Perhaps other Jewish refugees told them that the town was fast becoming known as a haven for desperate Jews. Local residents welcomed the Schwam family and sheltered them in a schoolhouse for two long years, until the end of the war. The grateful Schwam family joined thousands of other Jews who were hidden and sheltered by the town’s citizens – and people who lived in small villages nearby to Le Chambon sur Lignon, often at great personal risk.
Le Chambon sur Lignon had been actively resisting the pro-Nazi government for years. When Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940 and installed the collaborationist Vichy Regime governing much of the country, Le Chambon sur Lignon’s local Pastor, Andre Trocme, and his wife Magda urged the townspeople to hide Jews. Pastor Trocme called Jews “the people of the Bible,” and built on a strong tradition of respecting Jews that had long flourished in the area. Word spread that the town was a haven for persecuted Jews. Jewish refugees began making their way from across Europe to Le Chambon sur Lignon and its surrounding villages.
When France started deporting its Jews to death camps in 1942, Pastor Trocme stepped up his rhetoric, and encouraged his congregants to shelter Jews, hiding them from Nazi and Vichy authorities who were now seeking to arrest them and send them to concentration camps and death camps. Many local residents stepped up to the task.
Andre and Magda Trocme
Andre Trocme’s wife Madga discreetly identified local families who were willing to shelter Jews in their homes or on their property. Townspeople hid Jews in their homes. Local farmers sheltered Jews in their barns and other buildings. Volunteers waited at local railway stations to identify and greet Jewish refugees and ferry them to Le Chambon sur Lignon and safety. One local religious leader, Pastor Edouard Theis, led Jews on secret journeys to the Swiss border where he worked with Protestant activists in Switzerland to smuggle Jews to safety there.
“Do the will of God, not of men,” Pastor Trocme kept urging his congregants, imploring them to keep sheltering and aiding Jews.
This work was incredibly dangerous. Soon, Le Chambon sur Lignon was a major target for the Vichy authorities who were tasked with rounding up Jews – and with punishing anyone who helped hide desperate Jewish families. Matters came to a head in 1942 when Vichy policemen entered the town. “These people came here for help and for shelter,” Pastor Trocme told them, refusing to divulge the whereabouts of the town’s hidden Jews. More visits from Vichy authorities followed and tensions in the town increased. “Do the will of God, not of men,” Pastor Trocme kept urging his congregants, imploring them to keep sheltering and aiding Jews.
In February 1943, Nazi officials arrested Pastor Trocme and several other town leaders. One of the men arrested was Daniel Trocme, Pastor Andre Trocme’s brother. Daniel Trocme ran a children’s home in Le Chambon sur Lignon, which he’d used to shelter Jewish refugees. For this “crime,” the Nazis deported Daniel Trocme to Buchenwald where he perished.
Pastor Andre Trocme was held in a camp near the historic town of Limoges for five weeks. Ordered to sign a document promising to uphold all Vichy government orders, he refused. Even though their religious leader was absent from the town, the residents of Le Chambon sur Lignon and nearby villages continued their vital work shielding Jews.
Miraculously, Pastor Andre Trocme was released. He returned to Le Chambon sur Lignon and resumed his activities helping Jews, though in a much more secretive way than before.
Jewish children saved in Le Chambon sur Lignon
After the end of the war, Eric Schwam’s parents returned to Vienna. His father was a doctor; perhaps he planned to resume working there. Eric remained in Le Chambon sur Lignon, living in the town until 1950, when he moved to the French city of Lyon to study pharmacy. Mr. Schwam doesn’t seem to have been closely connected with the Jewish community during his life – he married a non-Jewish French woman and they had no children – but he seemingly harbored a life-long attachment to the town that saved him and so many other Jews.
A few years ago Mr. Schwam and his wife got in touch with Le Chambon sur Lignon’s mayor, Jean-Michel Eyraud, about the possibility of leaving their savings to the town in their will. Mr. Schwam passed away on December 25, 2020. A few weeks later, his executor got in touch with the town, letting them know that Mr. Schwam, who was by then a widower, had indeed left his life savings to the town.
“It’s a large amount for the village,” Mayor Eyraud told reporters. The bequest is thought to total as much as 2 million Euros – about 2.4 million dollars. Following Mr. Schwam’s wishes, Le Chambon sur Lignon plans to use it to help fund programs for children’s educational and other youth activities.
Mr. Schwan’s gift isn’t the only recognition the town received for sheltering thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Yad Vashem named Andre and Magda Trocme – along with 32 other residents of Le Chambon sur Lignon – “Righteous Among the Nations” for risking their lives to save Jews. It’s thought that between 3,000 and 5,000 Jews were ultimately sheltered by town residents during the Holocaust.
In 1998, Yad Vashem presented the entire town with a special Diploma of Honor for their bravery and humanity during those years of darkness and terror.
(25) Esther D Gershon, February 11, 2021 12:30 PM
mercy, kindness, and olam habah from and to thes holy and righteous ones. thank you for educating me.
(24) AislaS, February 6, 2021 10:23 PM
Wonderful article.
A joy to read this. Well deserved accolade to the fine and honourable people of this town. G-d Bless, keep and thank you all from your worldwide friends and admirers. And what a priest Fr Trocme and his family proved to be. G-d smiles on them.
(23) Anonymous, February 4, 2021 5:51 PM
Amazing bravery
This is an amazing real life story of such bravery, fully knowing the result of what would happen. For the last several years my husband and I stay in Normandy, full of history. Many times I’ve thought why have so many people died, their lives were not wasted, they saved many of Gods people. Such kindness will be awarded in heaven.
(22) Elaine, February 3, 2021 8:57 AM
God will remember what you did for His people during the terrible days of WW2 and will bless you.
(21) Lewis A Rockman, February 3, 2021 4:28 AM
Grace of the Soul.
All Menshes nothing else needs to be said. B"H.
(20) Yael Pedhatzur, February 2, 2021 7:37 AM
Sister Cities
I am proud to tell you all that Chambon sur Lignon is the “sister city” of my little desert town in Israel Meitar. Every year a small delegation from Meitar travels to Cambon su Lignon for a shared Yom HaShoah observation. They truly are righteous among the gentiles.
(19) James Gow, February 1, 2021 9:48 PM
Tell Steven Spielberg that sounds like a movie for him
Tell Steven Spielberg that sounds like a movie for him
(18) Miriam Dombey, February 1, 2021 9:22 PM
my Mom also escaped from Vichy France
I related to this story. My mother's family narrowly escaped from France. They were caught on the Spanish border. My uncle grabbed the guard's gun, pointed it at himself and said "why don't you just shoot us here right now, because that's what the Nazis will do if you turn us back." The guard took pity and put them into a detention center, where they were subsequently helped by HIAS, and made their way to U.S.. Thanks for the fascinating historical articles!
(17) Roberta Arsac, February 1, 2021 6:15 PM
My French husband went to summer camp in Chambon-sur-Lignon.
I knew of Chambon-sur-Lignon from Lucien who spent a summer there. Surprised you didn't mention Pierre Sauvage and his film on this subject. Bless the memory of the French Protestant community and all my fellow Jews who were blessed and saved by these courageous heroes.
(16) Robert Stern, February 1, 2021 6:10 PM
A spark of humanity
Especially today, we need to be reminded of people of courage and compassion.
(15) Anonymous, February 1, 2021 5:27 PM
Book
There is a wonderful book written about this heroic villiage.It is The name of the villiage and How Goodness Happened There. This too we must remember
(14) Gerald Rudick, February 1, 2021 4:49 PM
What wonderful people......
Decent people remember the good people who they met in their lives, and in this case, it is the whole town....Kol HaKavod...whhc in Hebrew means " All the Honor to you"
(13) Anonymous, February 1, 2021 10:56 AM
Inspiring!
An inspiring story of bravery and selfless kindness led by a pastor who was encouraging people to live out their Christian faith. My grandparents supported Jewish families who escaped to the UK. Their church bought a huge house were families could live until they found employment and a home of their own. However, the families rarely talked about their journey to freedom. I’ve always had huge respect and admiration for the bravery of people on the continent who risked their lives so that others might live. I am a primary school teacher and teach my children about the amazing acts of bravery and sacrifice. This story will be used next year! Thank you
(12) CARL BRAMSON, January 31, 2021 8:09 PM
I have no words to express my feelings of hopefulness
Hopefulness for the future of mankind as long as spirts to resistance to such dastardly triumph and live.
G-d bless these good righteous people.
(11) Anonymous, January 31, 2021 6:49 PM
film: Weapons of the Spirit by Pierre Savage documentary on this town
great story! Please check out the film: Weapons of the Spirit by Pierre Savage a documentary about this town and their saving Jewish lives!!!
(10) Marie, January 31, 2021 6:48 PM
Goodness among humans
This is a wonderful ‘reward’ and recognition of people doing the right thing, at grave risk. Makes my heart warm.
(9) Anonymous, January 31, 2021 6:34 PM
Wonderful story of hidden truth brought to light.
Thank you for sharing about those who did good during those horrific years of Jewish persecution. It seems that G-d has honored this town as they honored the people of God.
(8) Anonymous, January 31, 2021 5:38 PM
Awesome
This renews my faith in humanity. Bless the souls of the Righteous Gentiles.
(7) Alaine Apap Bologna, January 31, 2021 5:03 PM
It is so comforting that some people did the only right thing during those devastating years.
(6) Kingsdaughter613, January 31, 2021 4:42 PM
My family
My grandfather and his brother were some of the children hidden in this town. They may be in the picture!
(5) Judy Busby, January 31, 2021 4:34 PM
Sheltering Jews
This is wonderful. People with a strong moral character, doing what was right even under severe circumstances. Thank you for sharing this article.
(4) Stanley R Roelker, January 31, 2021 4:26 PM
There is Goodness in the World
Goodness and Evil exists side by side in the world. Those people in that small
French town risked their lives. They had NOTHING to gain but a lot to lose if discovered. I wonder how many Americans would perform the same act of goodness?
Blayne Day, February 5, 2021 7:13 AM
Millions.
To answer your question...Millions. Do you remember the millions of Americans that put their lives on the line in TWO wars to give the French people their freedom? Do you? Well, my family did this in both wars for the French people and the world...And, we/have paid a very high price to do this...Europe only has peace today because of the sacrifice of Americans. Please don't forget that sacrifice. Sincerely, Blayne Retired U.S. Army & U.S. Airforce
(3) Angelika Maeser Lemieux, January 31, 2021 4:00 PM
laudable
It is Inspiring to read about people who help others and do the right thing at greatpersonal risk and gratifying to read that they were rewarded (whether in this life or in the world to come).
(2) edwin zappe, January 31, 2021 3:48 PM
LOVE, KINDNESS, COMPASSION , HELP and GRATITUDE
How very very wonderful to read about how a very wonderful French couple, evangelical pastors in a small town in France, initiated in their town help for Jewish refugees during World War II and how their community rejected the great risks of being caught. Selflessly they hid thousands of jews til the end of the war. One Austrian jew who had survived gave teh town 2 million dollars as GRATITUDE- - via his trestament. I am sayig: THANK YO, THANK YOU TO THE INHABITANTS of this beautiful city. Bauty, Latin "beatus' means happy-thus-to me a very happy city.
(1) Lori Eshleman, January 31, 2021 2:24 PM
One must reflect and wonder how I would measure up, and my community?
I live in a lower middle class neighborhood, mostly whites of European heritage, also good people, how would we react? What can I do to influence my neighbors to increase our feelings of caring for one another and for the strangers/ newcomers in our midst? I pray for guidance and that we never firget, never forget.
Nina Kotek, February 3, 2021 10:50 AM
Huguenots
These are Protestants, Calvinists whom you may also know as Huguenots. They are very devout and strong in their faith, so when they were severely prosecuted in France foe their faith, they fled or hid rather than convert, as Jews did. And they because of that, they feel a kinship for Jews, as the pastor said,"the people of the Bible". So when they heard Jews were being persecuted as they themselves had been, they stepped up massively to help them. So mavbe it takes that kind of faith, and that kind of history.