When the world watched the rise of Hitler and the ensuing nightmare of the Holocaust, a handful of unlikely sanctuaries rose to the occasion. These ten locations – ranging from a tiny Welsh village to a bustling Caribbean port – became lifelines for Jews and other persecuted peoples, providing shelter, community, and a chance to survive. Below we explore each of these extraordinary havens, illustrating how compassion, bravery, and sometimes opportunistic politics converged to create safe harbors in the darkest of times.
10 Sosua
10 havens during the war: Sosua’s story of resilience
By the close of the 1930s, the Nazi machine had forced hundreds of thousands of Jews out of their homes, scattering them across continents. President Franklin D. Roosevelt convened an international conference at Evian, France, hoping to devise a coordinated response to the refugee crisis. Representatives from 32 nations gathered for nine days, each expressing sympathy yet offering little beyond their existing immigration quotas. The Great Depression loomed large, and financial scarcity was repeatedly cited as a convenient excuse for inaction.
Amid this global reticence, the Dominican Republic emerged as the sole nation willing to make a substantial commitment. Dictator Rafael Trujillo announced a bold pledge to admit up to 100,000 Jewish refugees. While his motives were far from altruistic—seeking financial aid, international rehabilitation after his brutal campaign against Haitians, and a desire to “whiten” the population—his offer nonetheless opened a door that few others would.
In practice, logistical hurdles meant that only about 800 refugees actually reached Dominican soil. The majority settled in the underdeveloped coastal town of Sosua, where each family received a modest plot of land and a few livestock. Adjusting to agrarian life proved challenging for many former professionals, yet the community quickly adapted, establishing a synagogue, a school, and a thriving social fabric that turned a desperate exile into a vibrant new beginning.
9 Bolivia
Between 1938 and 1941, more than 20,000 Jewish refugees found a new home in Bolivia, thanks largely to the extraordinary efforts of Mauricio Hochschild. A tin‑mining magnate who had once lived in Germany, Hochschild was horrified by the atrocities unfolding in his former homeland. Leveraging his wealth and political connections—particularly his friendship with General German Busch, Bolivia’s military president—he advocated for the admission of Jewish refugees as a means to bolster the nation’s labor force.
Hochschild didn’t stop at advocacy; he personally financed the passage of over 9,000 refugees. These refugees first disembarked in Chile, then boarded a train that became affectionately known as the “Jewish Express” on its journey to La Paz. Upon arrival, Hochschild ensured they had housing, employment within his enterprises, and even funded a school for their children, creating a supportive ecosystem that helped the newcomers rebuild their lives.
His humanitarian crusade did not go unnoticed. Once the Bolivian authorities realized the scale of his assistance, Hochschild earned the nickname “the Bolivian Schindler,” a testament to his pivotal role in saving countless lives during a period when many nations turned a blind eye.
8 Haiti
Among the lesser‑known sanctuaries of the Holocaust era, Haiti stands out for its compassionate response despite limited resources. During the Evian conference, a Haitian diplomat boldly offered to accept up to 50,000 Jewish refugees—a proposal that, while ultimately rejected by the broader international community, demonstrated Haiti’s willingness to act.
Undeterred, Haitian officials stationed throughout Europe worked tirelessly to issue as many visas as possible. Their efforts succeeded in bringing roughly 300 Jewish refugees to the Caribbean island, where they were greeted with warmth and understanding. Haiti’s own history of suffering under colonial oppression fostered a deep empathy toward those fleeing Nazi persecution.
For many, Haiti served as a temporary haven—a safe stopover while awaiting United States immigration approvals. Though most did not remain permanently, the gratitude they felt toward the Haitian people for providing a brief, life‑saving respite was profound and enduring.
7 Shanghai
When most nations slammed their doors shut, Shanghai remained an open port where entry required neither visas nor passports. Approximately 17,000 Jewish refugees escaped the tightening grip of Europe by making their way to this bustling Chinese metropolis. The city’s laissez‑faire immigration policy turned it into a lifeline for those desperate to flee persecution.
Life in Shanghai, however, was far from idyllic. The city teemed with overcrowded neighborhoods, with refugees crammed into dilapidated apartments or makeshift barracks. Those with some means managed to secure modest rooms, while the destitute endured cramped conditions. Yet the refugees displayed remarkable resilience, carving out livelihoods as bakers, café owners, shopkeepers, builders, teachers, and physicians, doing whatever they could to survive.
The Japanese occupation of Shanghai introduced a new set of challenges. The Nazis’ “Final Solution” was proposed to the Japanese, urging them to either transport the Jewish community to death camps or abandon them to starvation on deserted barges. The Japanese authorities, however, chose a different path, confining Jews to the Hongkou district—later known as the Shanghai Ghetto—while refraining from systematic extermination.
Within the ghetto, scarcity of food and clothing, coupled with disease, made daily life precarious. Nevertheless, cultural and religious life persisted: community gatherings, prayer services, and even school outings continued despite the hardships. When the war finally ended, most Shanghai Jews emerged alive, their survival a testament to both their tenacity and the relative mercy shown by the occupying forces.
6 Sweden
Officially neutral throughout World War II, Sweden initially appeared to tilt toward Germany, granting passage to German troops and supplying iron ore to the Nazi war machine. Early in the conflict, the country imposed strict limits on Jewish immigration, mirroring the restrictive policies of many other nations.
As the full horror of the Holocaust became undeniable, Swedish public opinion shifted dramatically. The nation opened its borders, becoming a sanctuary for thousands of refugees. A pivotal moment occurred in 1943 when the Danish government, under increasing pressure from German forces, resigned in protest, leaving Danish Jews vulnerable to Nazi deportation.
In a remarkable act of solidarity, Swedish citizens and officials facilitated the rescue of more than 7,500 Danish Jews. Resistance members, local volunteers, and ordinary neighbors coordinated clandestine operations, ferrying the Jews across the Øresund Strait to safety. Sweden also extended protection to roughly 900 Norwegian Jews and safeguarded its own modest Jewish population of about 7,000, illustrating a profound transformation from cautious neutrality to active humanitarianism.
5 Ecuador
Before the outbreak of World War II, Ecuador’s Jewish community numbered fewer than twenty individuals. Yet between 1933 and 1943, the South American nation welcomed approximately 2,700 Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Europe.
The Ecuadorian government expected these newcomers to integrate into agricultural work—a stark contrast to many refugees’ professional backgrounds as accountants, dentists, and other specialists. This mismatch led to widespread difficulty; numerous families struggled to adjust to farming life, and many of the chicken farms established for sixty families ultimately failed.
Undeterred, the refugees turned to other trades. Furniture‑making blossomed as a viable industry, with Jewish artisans introducing steel and iron components previously unseen in Ecuadorian craftsmanship. Some individuals succeeded beyond expectation, founding businesses that have endured to this day, illustrating how adversity can spark innovation and lasting economic contributions.
4 Zakynthos
Zakynthos, a sun‑kissed Greek island in the Ionian Sea, was home to a modest Jewish community of 275 souls during the Nazi occupation. Their survival hinged on the courageous actions of Bishop Chrysostomos Demetriou and Mayor Loukas Karrer, who defied German orders to protect the island’s Jews.
In October 1943, German commander Berenz arrived and demanded that all Jews observe a curfew and display a conspicuous sign on their doors. Bishop Chrysostomos argued passionately that the Jews were integral members of the island’s society and should not be subjected to mistreatment. Berenz, unmoved, threatened deportation regardless of the bishop’s pleas.
Mayor Karrer responded by warning the Jewish families and ensuring they were hidden within Christian homes across the island. A year later, Berenz returned, demanding a comprehensive list of every Jew on Zakynthos within 24 hours, under penalty of death. The mayor and bishop convened once more, crafting a daring response.
They submitted a list containing only their own names and a letter addressed directly to Hitler, declaring that the island’s Jews were under the bishop’s protection. Berenz forwarded these documents to the German High Command, awaiting guidance. The result? The order to deport the Zakynthos Jews was rescinded, and the German forces withdrew. All 275 Jewish residents survived the war, a testament to the moral bravery of the island’s leaders.
3 Philippines
From 1937 to 1941, roughly 1,200 Jewish refugees escaped the tightening grip of Nazi Germany by finding sanctuary in the Philippines, then a Commonwealth under United States oversight. Most arrived from Austria and Germany, fleeing increasingly harsh anti‑Semitic legislation.
President Manuel Quezon, anticipating the looming refugee crisis, sought to admit as many skilled Jews as possible. Although the United States would not grant visas to those lacking financial means, Quezon orchestrated a plan to bring 10,000 Jewish professionals—including doctors, accountants, a rabbi, and even a conductor—to the archipelago. This initiative reflected both humanitarian concern and a desire to benefit from the refugees’ expertise.
The transition was not without challenges. The refugees faced dramatic culture shock: tropical weather, unfamiliar cuisine, and new languages. Yet the Filipino population welcomed them with generosity, allowing the newcomers to live freely and integrate into society. Their relative safety was shattered in 1941 when Japanese forces invaded. While the Japanese did not share Hitler’s genocidal agenda and treated German passport‑holders as allies, the war turned the islands into battlefields, with bombings, land mines, and a rising death toll. Despite these hardships, many Jewish refugees survived the conflict, deeply grateful for the period of safety the Philippines provided before the war’s end.
2 Llanwrtyd Wells
In the heart of Wales lies the modest town of Llanwrtyd Wells, a place that, during the Holocaust, opened its arms to more than 130 Czechoslovakian Jewish children. These youngsters arrived via one of Nicholas Winton’s famed rescue trains, finding themselves in a community unaccustomed to foreign visitors but eager to help.
The town’s hotel was transformed into a boarding school, providing the children with a semblance of normalcy. They attended regular classes, played on local playgrounds, and were cared for by townspeople who took on parental roles. One local shopkeeper even drove the youngsters to sporting events on weekends, ensuring they experienced the joys of childhood despite the turmoil raging abroad.
After the war, many of these children learned that their parents had perished in Europe. Some stayed in Wales, while others returned to the continent to reunite with surviving relatives. As adults, many of them have returned to Llanwrtyd Wells, paying tribute to the town that offered them safety, warmth, and a treasured childhood amid the horrors of the Holocaust.
1 Le Chambon‑Sur‑Lignon
While countless individual acts of heroism occurred during the Holocaust, the mountainous region of Le Chambon‑sur‑Lignon in southern France stands out for its collective bravery. The predominantly Protestant villages rallied together, sheltering thousands of refugees—approximately 3,500 Jews, mostly children, alongside Spanish Republicans, anti‑Nazi Germans, and French resistance members.
The community’s moral compass was shaped by a deep aversion to Hitler’s anti‑Semitic rhetoric. Having endured persecution themselves under the Catholic Church, the villagers were determined not to repeat history’s cruelty. When a Quaker liaison secured the release of Jewish children from a southern French internment camp, a local pastor immediately offered homes throughout Le Chambon, prompting a wave of generosity that spread across the surrounding hamlets.
Word of the region’s safety traveled quickly, drawing more refugees seeking shelter. Villagers employed clever tactics—hiding people in plain sight, providing forged documents, and integrating newcomers into daily life to mask their presence. Some refugees remained hidden for the war’s entirety, while others were guided across the Swiss border to freedom.
Through this coordinated effort, an estimated 5,000 refugees survived, their lives saved by a community that chose compassion over fear, proving that collective action can outweigh even the most tyrannical oppression.