Mavros Yiorgios

Mavros, Yiorgios Yiorgios Mavros, a lawyer in Athens, helped save the members of the Camhi family – Sabetai Camhi, (b.1925), his brother, and their parents. In September 1943, Sabetai’s father got in touch with Yiorgios Mavros, who was the lawyer of his firm, and asked him to help the family find shelter. Mavros agreed. In April 1944, Mavros arranged for the Camhis’ escape from Athens along with other Jews who had found refuge in the homes of Greek families. One night a truck came to pick them up and took them to Rafina, a small fishing port opposite the island of Evoia. They had to pass through several German checkpoints along the way, and each time they were afraid that their false papers would not suffice. When they reached the port, a small motorboat was waiting to take them to Evoia. Upon landing, a guide met them and took them to an EAM base. After a month of constant hiding from German patrols, under the protection of the Greek Resistance, Mavros organized their escape from Greece. Several other Jews joined them in their final exodus, leaving by motorboat to their destination of Çeşme, Turkey. Mavros’s motivation to rescue persecuted Jews was purely humanitarian. He was fully aware of the risks he took, but he was determined nonetheless. Chaim Cohen recalled that he had met the Camhi family while they were hiding on the island of Evoia and he was there awaiting passage to Turkey. Cohen changed his plans and returned to Athens, where he met Mavros and conveyed a message from the Camhis to send them food and clothing. Mavros asked him about his own plans, and offered his help. He arranged for him to leave Athens and hide in Zarka, a village in Evoia, and from there, three days after his arrival, he was led to a cave, where he met 15 other Jews. They were all waiting for the boat destined to take them to liberty. Mavros was also involved in the escape of Greek officials to the Middle East. On March 9, 1994, Yad Vashem recognized Yiorgios Mavros asRighteous Among the Nations.