David Feuerwerker

David Feuerwerker was a prominent French Jewish rabbi and professor of Jewish history, born in 1912. His life's work was marked by significant contributions to the field of Jewish history, as well as his courageous actions during World War II. Feuerwerker played a crucial role in the resistance against German occupation, managing to evade suspicion until just six months before the war's end. At that point, he fled to Switzerland, while his wife and infant child went into hiding in France.

Following the war, Feuerwerker was recognized by the French government for his bravery, receiving several awards for his service. He and his wife worked to rebuild the Jewish community in Lyon, and he later taught at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1966, Feuerwerker relocated to Montreal with his family, which had grown to include six children. There, he established a department of Jewish studies at the University of Montreal, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of Jewish history. Feuerwerker passed away in 1980, leaving behind a remarkable record of scholarship, courage, and community leadership.