Uku Masing
Uku Masing (formerly Hugo Masing, August 11, 1909 - April 25, 1985) was an Estonian philosopher, translator, theologist and folklorist. Masing lectured at the University of Tartu in Estonia, where he was known as a brilliant teacher of theology and Semitic languages, if somewhat eccentric. After the invasion by the German Army he gave up his teaching post at the university and devoted his time to protecting and salvaging Jewish cultural and religious items.
From his days as a teacher he knew a Jew, Isidor Levin, who had decided to hide from the occupying army to avoid being captured which would have left him to an almost certain death. Uku and his wife Eha helped Levin avoid capture by supplying him with food, shelter, clothing and even forged documents and on occasions lying to the Gestapo about his knowledge of Isidor. For these actions Uku Masing and his wife Eha have been honoured with The Righteous Among the Nations.
Masing also took an active part after the war in investigating Nazi war crimes, in particular the Klooga concentration camp where many Jews had been killed.
From his days as a teacher he knew a Jew, Isidor Levin, who had decided to hide from the occupying army to avoid being captured which would have left him to an almost certain death. Uku and his wife Eha helped Levin avoid capture by supplying him with food, shelter, clothing and even forged documents and on occasions lying to the Gestapo about his knowledge of Isidor. For these actions Uku Masing and his wife Eha have been honoured with The Righteous Among the Nations.
Masing also took an active part after the war in investigating Nazi war crimes, in particular the Klooga concentration camp where many Jews had been killed.
