Pave the Way Foundation plans history presentations

Wantagh-based Pave the Way Foundation will sponsor historic presentations in New York with the diocese of Assisi, Italy, to recognize the life-saving efforts of Assisi clergy and citizens in protecting Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

The presentation is slated for April 5 and 6 at Temple Israel in New Rochelle and St. John’s University in Queens, respectively. Both presentations will also be held virtually. Anyone can attend.

Pave the Way was founded in 2002 with the mission to eliminate disinformation and barriers between religions. The foundation was cofounded by Meredith Krupp, 73, and Gary Krupp,74.

Gary, a Queens native, said the foundation was approached by the Archbishop of Assisi to co-sponsor the presentations, which will discuss historically accurate actions of the people of Assisi. When Northern Italy was occupied by German troops in 1943, Assisi was forced into action. Archbishop Nicolini – acting on requests from Rome – rallied Assisi residents to save Jewish peoples that were being hunted by Nazis.

“These people in Italy and in Europe risked their lives to save the lives of people they didn’t even know,” Gary said.

Both presentations will feature panels from the Museo della Memoria Assisi, or the Museum of Memory in Assisi. It will include an hour-long roundtable discussion led by Johan Ickx, Archivist for the Historical Archives of the Vatican Secretary of State and Elizabeth Bettina, author of “It Happened in Italy.” The Mayor of Assisi, Stefania Proietti, will also attend.

In 2006, Gary conducted research into Pope Pius XII – a well-known figure who was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States during the Nazi era. Gary admitted that he was under the impression that Pope Pius XII was anti-semetic, until Gary discovered documents from the Palestine Post, and New York Times archives, that indicated otherwise. It sparked his overall interest in publishing accurate historic records.

Gary – who has been knighted three times for his commitment to breaking down religious barriers – said close to 847,000 Jews were saved during World War II. “Twenty-five percent of the world’s population of Jews today are alive because of the actions of the Vatican during World War II,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting event – especially now at a time where everyone is talking about all the hatred, anti-semitism, and negativity going around.”

“How happy we are to bring our museum to America,”  Archbishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, said in a press release. “Not only to remember a light that [shined] through a dark time in history, but also to tell the world that good can, and must, win over evil.”

Meredith, Gary’s wife of 51 years, was named Dame of the Grand Cross, the Highest Vatican State order that can be awarded to a person. She said she hopes the event sheds light on the life-saving actions of Assisi’s residents.

“Our world is so divided,” said Meredith. “The least we could do is to bridge the gaps.”

Knighted by decree of Pope Francis, Meredith received the honor of being awarded Dame of the Grand Cross, the Highest Vatican State order that can be awarded to a lay person. Gary received the Knight of the Grand Cross in 2018.

Guests looking to attend the presentations must register by sending an email to: assisievent@desalesmedia.org.

The Pave the Way Foundation, which operates in 19 countries, works to resolve non-theological obstacles between religions. For more information on their efforts, go online to: www.ptwf.org.