What echoes along Rue \u00c9mile Zeizig? It is a tale of courage and tragedy during World War II. This street bears the name of a French merchant. He was a victim of the Holocaust.
\u00c9mile Zeizig was born in Sainte-Foy-l\u00e8s-Lyon in 1887. He became a merchant like his father. In 1913, he married Julienne Lazard, a teacher from Paris.
During the war, \u00c9mile Zeizig owned a shop in Sainte-Foy-l\u00e8s-Lyon. Despite advice from friends, he registered as Jewish. This decision would have terrible consequences.
On June 28, 1944, French Milice members raided his shop. They looted it and arrested \u00c9mile Zeizig. His wife later identified Jean Reynaudon as the leader. Reynaudon was a member of the Milice.
Reynaudon admitted his role in \u00c9mile Zeizig’s tragic end. He also confessed to looting his shop. In a letter, he stated they seized goods worth three million francs. He said \u00c9mile Zeizig was executed in retaliation for the assassination of Philippe Henriot. Henriot was a secretary in the Vichy government.
On June 29, 1944, \u00c9mile Zeizig was taken from his cell. He was with six other Jewish prisoners. They were transported to the Rillieux cemetery. There, they were shot around 5:30 in the morning.
The gendarmerie report mentioned \u00c9mile Zeizig’s name. It incorrectly stated his age as 57. He was 56 when he died.
Paul Touvier was later convicted of crimes against humanity. This was specifically for the events in Rillieux. \u00c9mile Zeizig’s son, Ren\u00e9 Zeizig, was a plaintiff in the case. After the conviction, Ren\u00e9 Zeizig called the trial exemplary. He regretted that it took fifty years to achieve this result.
In 1994, a documentary titled “M. Zeizig” followed Ren\u00e9 Zeizig. It covered his experience during the Touvier trial.
Today, Rue \u00c9mile Zeizig serves as a memorial. It honors a man who lost his life during a dark period. It is a reminder of the dangers of prejudice. It also shows the importance of remembering the victims of the Holocaust. The street is named after him in Sainte-Foy-l\u00e8s-Lyon too.