Eric Schwam died on December 25, 2020, at the age of 90. He died leaving a will that provided a substantial bequest to the French village of Chambon-sur-Lignon. The gift was in thanks for the village’s assistance to Schwam and his family who were sheltered in the village during World War II as they escaped Nazi persecution.
According to a news report in The Times of Israel, Schwam and his family, originally from Austria, were taken in by the village townsfolk. They were amongst over 2,500 Jews harboured by the village during World War II. Previously, the village was honoured by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center as “Righteous Among the Nations”. (According to the Yad Vashem website, 3,000 to 5,000 Jews were protected by the village.) The village has received other such honours.
Schwam’s family arrived in Chambon-sur-Lignon in 1943, and were hidden in a school. The family remained in the village until 1950. Schwam then left the village, and studied pharmacy.
The mayor declined to state how much was given to the village of 2,470 (as of 2017). However, it is estimated that the gift was of $2m Euros. The funds are to be used for educational and youth initiatives, including scholarships.
Sometimes good deeds go unpunished.
Have a great weekend.