Forged IDs to Save Thousands: The Incredible Story of French Resistance Heroes

Tal Meir, a news presenter on Channel 14, shared this morning (Monday), Holocaust Remembrance Day, the remarkable story of her grandparents, Aryeh and Shulamit Roytman, heroes of the Jewish underground in France who managed to save thousands of Jewish lives.

"On Holocaust Remembrance Day, I feel it's both a duty and a privilege to tell the story of my grandparents, Shulamit and Aryeh Roytman, heroes of the Jewish underground in France whose story is scarcely known," Meir began.

"For two years, every morning my grandmother crossed the bridge in the city of Grenoble, France, waved hello to the German officer and continued on her way to the forgery lab located alarmingly close to the Gestapo headquarters. There, she forged identity cards and food coupons for Jews hidden by the Jewish underground in various villages nearby. At the end of the 'workday,' she hid the forged documents in her bicycle seat, and as she waved again to the armed guard, she prayed he wouldn't suspect her. She did this every day for two years."

Meir continued: "When my grandfather, Leon, learned that his brother had been caught, he forged his own identity card, walked into the Gestapo headquarters in Bordeaux, bribed the commander, and saved his brother - Paul Roytman. The forged identity card later helped him persuade priests and village leaders to hide Jewish families. There was always the fear someone would turn him in.

"Through documents forged by underground members, tens of thousands of children, women, and men were smuggled across the borders to Spain and Switzerland. My grandparents' story is filled with incredible details and acts of heroism. However, their tales were absorbed into the pages of history because they didn’t see themselves as having done anything special. They didn’t feel like heroes."

"In the past seven months, we've been hearing stories of heroes who bravely acted on October 7th. At this very moment, in the Gaza Strip, fighters, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the underground fighters, are fighting like lions," added Meir. "Their courage and greatness are indescribable. But on this Holocaust Remembrance Day, we need to remember that this time they're fighting differently. IDF soldiers have homes and families behind them; they have weapons, ammunition, and intelligence; they have the large and powerful IDF behind them, and sadly, when difficult events occur, rescue helicopters and medical forces are prepared to offer assistance as needed. None of these things existed for the heroes of the Jewish underground in France. These were dreams too daring even to dream. But they had spirit and faith, which still resonate today."

"Dear grandparents, and with you, all generations of the survivors, brands plucked from the fire who established this cherished state for us. Your strength and belief in the justice of our path continue to resonate, especially in difficult moments."

"Faced with the testimonies of horrors from October 7th, when the lump rises in the throat and despair threatens to creep in, we think of you and receive a lesson in faith and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people - 80 years ago in Europe and now here in the State of Israel."

"Thank you for what you've done, and we promise to continue passing on the torch of memory alongside the torch of hope. So that we may be worthy of you. Am Yisrael Chai forever and ever."

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