Yad Vashem obtains special artifact
By Tamar Hausman

(May 2) - Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, recently added to its collection of wartime materials, artifacts, and archives a valuable necklace.

During World War II, a French man was forced to sell his business and with the money purchased a necklace of diamonds and emeralds. Before being taken to concentration camps, the man hid the necklace under a kitchen tile. His wife was murdered, but he managed to survive, and returned home to retrieve the necklace. He decided that after his death the necklace would be used to finance aiding the poor, sick, and elderly in Israel.

Philanthropist-siblings Shaya and David Gall, whose parents were exterminated in Babi Yar, purchased the necklace in a New York auction for $1 million. The money went to help create a new elderly wing at Tel Hashomer hospital. Meantime, the Galls decided the necklace should go to Yad Vashem. The necklace will be displayed in the new museum, which will be ready in 2003. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new museum will take place tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

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