Birgy Rolande

Birgy, Rolande File 2613 Rolande Birgy was affiliated with the Jeunesse Ouvriére Chrétienne (JOC) in Annecy and in the vicinity of the Swiss border. During the occupation, she and others risked their lives to help Jews seeking sanctuary from the occupation authorities and from the Vichy regime to cross into Switzerland. Birgy belonged to the underground network created by the Jewish Scout movement, La Sixième, to smuggle Jewish children into Switzerland. Birgy helped and accompanied hundreds of children and entire families who fled from France. In April 1944, she accompanied the Pulver family of St. Julien en Genevois -- husband, wife, three-year-old twin daughters Aline and Miryam, and an elderly woman relative -- to Bossey, a village near the border. She hid them for several hours in the rectory of the village priest and helped them cross the border at the right moment. In all of her missions in rescuing Jews, Birgy displayed exceptional courage, devotion, resourcefulness, and perseverance. On May 27, 1983, Yad Vashem recognized Rolande Birgy as Righteous Among the Nations.