Skuyinsh Katarīna

Skuyinsh, Katarīna Katarīna Skuyinsh, (b. 1911) lived in the town of Babīte, Vidzeme, near Rīga. In May 1944, she sheltered Shimon Berman, a stranger, in her home. A few days before he came to her, Berman had escaped from a labor camp for Jews in Rīga and arrived by chance in Babīte. At nightfall, he knocked on several doors seeking a place to spend the night, but the local residents all refused to admit him. Skuyinsh, was the only one who replied in the affirmative, and after talking to her for several hours, Berman felt he could trust her, and confessed that he was Jewish. Despite the risk involved, Skuyinsh, was determined to help. She hid Berman in her home for three weeks, until she was able to obtain false papers for him with the Russian name Nikolai Pronin. With his borrowed identity, Berman continued to stay with Skuyinsh, in the guise of a relative, and thanks to her recommendation, he was able to find work in town. He remained there until the area was liberated in October 1944. After the war, Berman maintained friendly relations with his rescuer for many years, and when he immigrated to Israel, he invited her to visit him in his new home. On October 7, 1975, Yad Vashem recognized Katarīna Skuyinsh, as Righteous Among the Nations.