In April of 2000 a memorial to Chiune Sugihara was dedicated on the grounds of Temple Emeth. During the Nazi terror, Sugihara served as Japanese Consul to Lithuania. In 1940 in Kovno, Lithuania, his pen quietly, but bravely, issued over 2,000 transit visas to European Jewish families, saving their lives by allowing them safe passage to Japan. Temple Emeth congregant Samuil Manski z"l, one of those rescued by Sugihara, was instrumental in the memorial’s planning and implementation. Sam Manski’s personal story is told in his book, With God’s Help, available for download here.

Sugihara’s image is sketched on the stone monument, and a testimonial to his brave deeds is written in English, Hebrew and Japanese. The monument is located near the Temple's West Roxbury Parkway entrance. The Sugihara Memorial Committee, composed of Temple Emeth members and the Boston area’s Japanese community, organizes an annual program to honor Chiune Sugihara. In 2008, the Town of Brookline formally honored Chiune Sugihara for his deeds and the city of Tsuruga, Japan, for accepting these families. A video, Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness, tells the story and is available in the Temple's library.

Donations are accepted for the support of the Sugihara Memorial Garden at Temple Emeth. For information about making a donation click here.

• View photos from Sugihara Commemoration events.
• 2008 Town of Brookline Resolution
• 2008 Town of Brookline Resolution - Japanese translation
• Visit website for Consulate-General of Japan in Boston.