God’s house
Drita Veseli, in front of a photographic portrait of her late husband, Refik. The family of Vesel and
Fatime Veseli were amongst the first Albanians to be recognised by Yad Vashem for saving the lives
of Jews during the Second World War.
who is determined to fulfil the Besa agreed to by his father; feel that it may have important present-day consequences as
he is equally determined not to hand on that obligation to his well. Williams is hopeful the film, which will premier this year,
own son.” The film also tells the story of a Jewish son who was will provide a basis for dialogue, “Here is an instance where we
brought to Albania and “saved by this surrogate Muslim father… have fully documented a Muslim community which recognised
These stories of fathers and sons are very tightly interwoven,” the coming of the Holocaust, responded to the Holocaust, and
Williams adds. worked to give refuge to Jews. That message does not exist any-
The tradition of Besa still compels modern-day Albanians where else. So I think it has this very profound ability to perform
to fulfil past promises. God’s House follows Rexhep Hoxha, an a useful and very positive basis for dialogue.”
Albanian toyshop owner who has an interesting family heirloom Even at the age of 77, Gershman says that his work document-
- a set of beautifully bound books written in Hebrew, entrusted ing those who helped save Jewish lives is not complete. “How
to his father by a Jewish family headed by Nissim Aladjem. are we ever going to find these people decades down the line?
Nissim had promised to return for these treasured possessions, Contact has been lost between rescuers and refugees. There is so
but for 66 years the Hoxha family waited hoping that one day the much sadness. Many Jews do not want to remember. If I find,
Aladjems would reclaim it. With no sign of the Aladjems, Rexhep or someone tells me, about a family who saved a Jew, I will seek
promised his father that he would return the books. A generation them out and take their portrait. This is my mitzvah (human
after the Hoxhas sheltered Nissim, Sara and their 10-year-old son kindness).”
Aron, Rexhep journeys to Jerusalem in search of Aron. For his book Satloff spoke to Jews who had escaped persecu-
Although the film uncovers the past, one cannot help but tion. He recounts the story of Yehuda Chachmon, a Libyan
www.emel.com | emel magazine 35
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