Some of the Polish Holocaust rescuers attend a gathering at a Warsaw hotel, 20 Jul 2008

A U.S.-based Jewish foundation Sunday honored more than 60 elderly Polish Christians who risked their lives hiding Jews from the occupying Nazis in World War II.

The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous gives Poles financial aid to help bolster their small government pensions.

Some of the honorees told their stories during a ceremony in Warsaw. They spoke of hiding entire Jewish families in their homes while the Nazis prowled the streets.

If the Germans had discovered the Jews, it would have meant death for the Poles hiding them.

Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial has presented about 6,000 Poles with its Righteous Among Nations medal for saving Jewish lives - more than any other country.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.