Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark

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Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark is the Museum’s first exhibition for visitors aged 9 and up. The exhibition tells the remarkable story of the rescue of the Danish Jews during the Holocaust. Together, Jewish and non-Jewish neighbors of all ages mobilized to create one of the most effective—and exceptional—examples of mass resistance and escape in modern history. Despite the enormous risk, ordinary citizens united against Nazism to save nearly 95% of Denmark’s Jewish population. While many know glimpses of this story through Lois Lowry’s beloved novel Number the Stars, Courage to Act unveils the full scope of this inspiring chapter in human history.

Using state-of-the-art technology and creative storytelling, Courage to Act immerses visitors in this inspiring story. Age-appropriate themes of separation, bravery, and resilience will help young people make connections to their own lives and reflect on the dangers of prejudice—as well as their own potential for compassionate, moral, and courageous collective action and upstanding.

Also featured in the exhibition is the story of the Gerda III, one of many small vessels used in the Danish Rescue. The Gerda III alone saved an estimated 300 Jews in groups of 10 – 15 at a time on clandestine journeys across the Øresund Sound to Sweden. Twenty-two-year-old Henny Sinding Sundø, who led Gerda III’s rescue activities, will be among the exhibition’s narrators telling stories of their experiences during the Danish Rescue. Donated to the Museum by the Danish Parliament in 1989, the Gerda III is currently docked at The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut.

In a climate of widespread antisemitism and Holocaust denial, Courage to Act addresses a critical need by reaching younger children, whose Holocaust education in New York City public schools typically begins in the eighth grade.

Courage to Act is designed by the award-winning studio Local Projects, a renowned firm specializing in the use of technology to tell stories and evoke emotional connection.

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The Museum is celebrating the Danish Rescue with programs throughout the year. New events are added on an ongoing basis.

Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark is made possible with leadership support from Regina Skyer, Jonathan Goldberg, and Family; Bruce Ratner and Family; and Jane Oster Sinisi and the Oster Family Foundation. 

Generous support is provided by presenting partners Ulrika and Joel Citron; Amy and Rob Feilbogen; Yes I Can – Simcha & Ruchi Feller; Patti Askwith Kenner and Family; Jacob, Logan and Jackson Kirschner; and The Pickman Foundation. 

With special thanks to our benefactors Anonymous; Bloomberg Philanthropies; Leon Levy Foundation; New York State with the assistance of Assembly Member Dan Quart; Thanks To Scandinavia; Laurie M. Tisch; and in Loving Memory of Penny Lieberman.  

Additional support provided by advocates Atlas Concrete Surfacing, Melvin and Miriam Cohn z”l; The Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Michele and Marty Cohen; Gallery Educator Friends of the Museum; the Gray Foundation; George Klein and Family; The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation; Wendy Lowenstein Sandler and Neil Sandler; and Larry and Klara Silverstein and Family. 

Thank you to sponsors The Achelis & Bodman Foundation; Anonymous; Anonymous II; Judy and Ron Baron, Baron Family Foundation; Ellen & Ronald Block Family Foundation; David Berg Foundation; The Bialik Fund for Freilachkeit; Matthew Breitenbach and Terry Schwartz Breitenbach; Corner Foundation; Matthew Goldstein and Maggie Sedlis Goldstein; Jaqueline Heller, in memory of her parents, Survivors; Bob and Susan Morgenthau; The Rothberg Family, LATICRETE International, Inc.; Stacey, Marc, Elliott and Jared Saiontz; Jeffrey Schoenfeld; and Mark and Jane Wilf.