Lithuanians in the News
24th November 2013
Lithuanian Couple Honoured by Israel in a Ceremony in Sydney
Israel’s Ambassador to Australia Shmuel Ben-Shmuel (left)
presenting Vladas Meškėnas the award honouring his parents
Josifas and Agripina Meškėnas as Righteous Among the Nations
On Sunday November 10, 2013 there was a ceremony at The Great Synagogue in Sydney to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the violence against Jews in Germany and Austria, which has become known as Kristallnacht and which was the start of the Holocaust.
During the moving ceremony there was an honouring of a Lithuanian couple, the late Josifas and Agripina Meškėnas, who showed great courage in helping Jews in Lithuania during the Holocaust. To receive a medal and a scroll honouring Josifas and Agripina Meškėnas as Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Israel was their son, famous Australian Lithuanian portrait artist Vladas Meškėnas, with his son Eugene and daughter Nina.
The presentation was made by Israel Ambassador to Australia Shmuel Ben-Shmuel with many distinguished guests present. Ambassador Ben-Shmuel stated that Josifas and Agripina Meškėnas “risked their lives by providing asylum for a young Jewish girl escaping Nazi forces in Lithuania.” At the presentation the Australian Lithuanian Community of Sydney was represented by its President, Dr. Ramutis Zakarevičius.

Further information:
https://www.jewishnews.net.au/ambassador-honours-righteous/33125