Hiram Bingham, an American diplomat who rescued more than 2,500 French artists, intellectuals and other Christians and Jews from persecution by the Nazis in 1941, will be honored posthumously at a program set for 1 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Monroe Senior Center, Applegarth and Hawley Reed Roads.
The event is sponsored by Hadassah Associates of Monroe Township and the Alisa and Monroe Township chapters of Hadassah. Keynote speakers will be Robert K. Bingham, the late diplomat’s son, and Bella Chagall Meyer, granddaughter of the French artist Marc Chagall, who was one of those rescued by Bingham.
Because his efforts allegedly went against U.S. State Department policy at the time, Bingham was transferred from his diplomatic post and eventually retired at a young age. He lived in obscurity until his death. Five decades later, Secretary of State Colin Powell recognized Bingham’s achievements, and the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor.
The public is invited to attend the program. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are required. Checks in the amount of $18 per person, made payable to Hadassah, should be sent to Larry Gelb, 328A Quinton Drive, Monroe Township, 08831.
For more information, call Manny Strumpf at 609-619-3000 or Albert Pressler at 609-409-1387.