A m e r i c a ' s O l d Sw SERVING THE SW e EDISH A s ed MERI t i CAN sh CO N er MM ewspap UN ITY SINCE 1872 Swedish News – from Sweden & America • Published by Swedish News • Volume 135 • No. 16 • April 19, 2007 • Price per Copy $1.50 Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim Awarded the Royal Polar Star By Eva Stenskär New York The Chairman of the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States, Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim, was awarded the Royal Swedish Order of the Polar Star, and was presented with the medal by Ambassador Ulf Hjertonsson, Consul General of Sweden, at a ceremony at the Consular Resi- dence. “His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf has decided to appoint you the order of the Polar Star, and we’re glad to have you here and to have your family in attendance,” said The Royal Swedish Order Ambassador Hjertonsson. “To of the Polar Star receive this order, there is a strict The Order of the Polar Star rule: You must have accomplished Nordstjärneorden is a royal order things beyond the call of duty. And of chivalry created by King Freder- that is a fitting description of your ick 1 of Sweden in 1748, together efforts on establishing the Raoul with the Order of the Sword and Wallenberg legacy.” the Order of Seraphim. Oestreicher Bernheim has been The motto, Nescit Occasum (“it knows no part of the Raoul Wallenberg Com- Stenskär Photo: Eva Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim surrounded by (from left to right): Survivors of WW2 atrocities who were saved decline”) is meant to prove that Sweden mittee since its founding in 1981, by Raoul Wallenberg Peter A. Vagi, Margit Kelemen Demeny (in front), Ivan E. Becker, and Ambassador Ulf is as constant as a never setting star. and she has for over twenty-five Hjertonsson. Oestreicher Bernheim’s medal is obstructed. The Order’s sash is now blue with yellow years been actively involved in edges (it used to be black), and the Mal- the daily work of the committee. Wallenberg and pass forward to across America, and in schools in me. I am also grateful to Raoul tese-type cross is white, blue and golden. She has also been instrumental future generations his values of other countries. Wallenberg. With all the sadness Until 1975, it was intended as a reward in the search for the truth about non-violent heroism, compassion “I’m so grateful,” Oestreicher that surrounds his story, he also for Swedish and foreign “civic merits, the fate of Wallenberg, working and courage. Bernheim said. “This is far more has brought so much joy.” for devotion to duty, for science, literary, closely with the Swedish and the “A Study of Heroes” is an than I expected. It’s a beautiful Partaking in the ceremony were learned and useful works and for new and American governments, as well award-winning interdisciplinary decoration and I am honored. But also three special people, three beneficial institutions.” After reorganizing as other international institutions academic program that has already I haven’t worked alone. Today I of the survivors saved by Raoul the orders in 1975, it is now only awarded and organizations. In addition, she reached more than 1,000,000 am surrounded by my family and Wallenberg in Budapest during to foreigners and members of the royal conceptualized and co-developed American students in public, pri- by board members, who all have WW2. family only. the program “A Study of Heroes” vate, and parochial schools, and in helped me. I’m very appreciative For more information on the organization: Recipients of the order includes: as a living monument to honor adult prison classrooms. It is used of His Majesty. This is a gift to www.raoulwallenberg.org Johan Magnus Almqvist (Theologian and Politician) Bengt Petri (Politician) Susan Sontag (American Author) Giorgios Papandreou (Greek Politician) A clipping from Nordstjernan—America’s oldest Rudolf Walden (Finnish Industrialist) weekly Swedish newspaper, founded in 1872. Greta Garbo (Swedish-American Ac- www.nordstjernan.com tress)..