ROP

Temple Emanuel honors Guiseppe D’Urso’s Holocaust heroism

Robert Pelaez
Temple Emanuel of Great Neck hosted a recognition of the heroism of Giuseppe D’Urso, father of Assemblyman Tony D’Urso, during the Holocaust. (Photo courtesy of Karen Rubin)

Temple Emanuel of Great Neck hosted a recognition of the heroism Giuseppe D’Urso, father of state Assemblyman Tony D’Urso (D-Port Washington) displayed during the Holocaust.

In 1944, Giuseppe risked his life and the lives of his family, to hide two Jewish families from the Nazis for nine months in the mountains.

Tony, at five years old, also played an integral role in harboring the Jewish families. He served as a lookout, calling out to his mother whenever German soldiers were approaching.

“Who in the world would believe that a farmer and his wife would risk their lives and the lives of their children, and live in the woods for nine months while hiding a large Jewish family?” the assemblyman asked, speaking of the valiant behavior of his late father.

This past February, D’Urso and his family were recognized for their heroic acts in Rome by Pope Francis.

Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, from the Archdiocese of New York City, lauded D’Urso’s actions.

“There is no better example of a man living his faith than Giuseppe D’Urso,” Walsh said.  He could have looked the other way, he did not. He could have gone home to his family, he did not. Pope Francis honored Giuseppe D’urso because he is a man of holiness for all of us to follow.”

Representatives of the Long Island Muslim Society, the Chinese Society of Long Island and the Sons of Italy, all took turns expressing their admiration for the extraordinary courage and sacrifice demonstrated by the D’Urso family during the Holocaust.

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth told those in attendance that her parents were both Holocaust survivors. She never got the chance to meet her grandparents “because there weren’t more people like Giuseppe D’Urso.”

Giuseppe’s grandson Anthony D’Urso told the audience, “My grandfather did the right thing when the rest of the world went absolutely crazy.”  

Rev. Jennifer Brower of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock was included among the diverse group of clergy who shared the podium at the synagogue.  She implored everyone to learn from the example set by Giuseppe. 

“Yes, we should all marvel at Giuseppe’s courage.  But that’s not enough. We should follow his example and stand up for justice whenever we encounter it.”

Michael Weinstock, who traveled to the Vatican with the D’Urso family after finding diaries that confirmed the family’s heroism, said, “I’ve never seen such a diverse crowd, from such different faiths and backgrounds, talk about one man with such pride of ownership and love. And he’s not even a New Yorker!”

Share this Article