Topic > Sofia Kritikou – The Everyday Hero of the Holocaust

We all dream of being the hero in terrible situations, but how many of us would actually go through with it? And how many would get the recognition they deserve? There are many lesser-known heroes in the Holocaust, one of which is Sofia Kritikou. The Holocaust can be described as the large-scale displacement, exploitation and murder of millions of people, mainly Jews. Conditions were poor for Jews and they were constantly locked up in labor camps and death camps. Sofia Kritikou, an everyday heroine of the Holocaust, is an inspiration because she managed to overcome so many reasons for not helping some Jews, and she did it without thinking twice. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Born in 1895 and originally from Peristeri, Greece, working as a housekeeper in Athens, Kritikou was a single mother with her eight-year-old daughter, Agapi. Kritikou walked to work every day from Peristeri to Athens, which was about 4 km away. Meanwhile, “word had spread that the food would be distributed in the central synagogue of Athens. Eighteen-year-old Herman “Tsvi” Kazansky's mother and two aunts went to get rations and never returned. The family learned that those who arrived at the synagogue were deported to Auschwitz and murdered.” After learning that the women were dead, Tsvi's father David hid the family, Tsvi, Liana (16 years old) and Jeny (Gina - eight years old), each with a false Greek Orthodox identity. Seeking a long-term solution, David found Sofia through his “business partner at a sewing shop who had mentioned his goddaughter's mother.” Despite her personal problems, Sofia welcomed these people without hesitation and without knowing that they were Jews. After learning of the family's true "...Jewish identity – and the death penalty she faced for protecting them – Sofia's care never wavered." He continued to supply and hide them until the end of World War II. After the end of the war, Tsvi and Gina left to emigrate to Israel while David and Liana remained in Greece. In 1964 Tsvi returned to Greece, where Sofia and Agapi were, and fell in love with Agapi. Agapi converted to Judaism, changed her name to Ruth, and married Tsvi. Sofia followed her daughter and son-in-law to Israel where she died in 1995 at the age of 100. Three years after her death, on August 23, 1998, Sofia was recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. After establishing what she has done with her life, the question remains: How does this make her an inspiration or a hero? Sofia Kritikou is an inspiring heroine because, despite her own difficult times, she extended a helping hand to others in difficult times, without worrying about the consequences, even after finding out that they were lying. She is an inspiration because she stood up to a fascist, violent, controlling and oppressive government and never gave up. She is heroic because it takes courage and firm convictions to resist anyone, let alone the Nazi regime. She may not have stood up to them in public or made a big scene, but she did what she could, and that needs to be respected and is something to take note of. Sofia Kritikou taught us to do what we can for what we believe in. It inspires us to stick to our beliefs and stay true to ourselves, regardless of the repercussions. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The Holocaust was a destructive and bloody period in history, and from terrible times come heroes. One of those heroes, an everyday hero, was Sofia Kritikou. He had his own.