THE WHOLE STORY IS Translated - under Polish notes you can find Angielski Their translations.
here you can find descriptions of each photo used in the film. For more information about your photos in our gallery (link on the right side of the blog.)
first Ms. Irena Zawadzka.
second Title.
third Rachelka with my mother, Tzipora Apple - Zonszajn.
4th Rachelka with my dad, James Zonszajnem.
5th Rachelka with Grandmother.
6th Danuta Malinowska (real name: Dorothy Mączyk) - a young girl rescued from the ghetto by Irena Zawadzka Siedlce and Zofia Glazer - Olszakowską.
7th Sabina Zawadzka, Irena mom.
8th Rachelka and Stefanek, a nephew of Mrs. Irene - the picture of the times occupation.
9th Photo of Rachel's farewell before leaving for France and then to Israel - from left to right: Sophie Glazer - Olszakowska, Rachelka, Mrs. Sabina Zawadzka, Irena in-law - Christine and her son Stefan.
10th Rachel at the age of 19 years. Photo taken in Israel.
11th Rachel and her older son Gal.
12th Common photo of Rachel during his stay in Poland in the '90s - these.
13th Signs at Yad Vashem.
14th - 17 Medals and diplomas from Yad Vashem.
18th Ms. Irena Zawadzka diploma.
19th Statement by Mrs. Irene.
20th Ms. Irena Zawadzka.
21st Credits.
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here you can see the descriptions of the photos used in the film. For more information, check our photo gallery (in the right top of the blog):
1. Ms Irena Zawadzka.
2. The title.
3. Rachelka with her mom Cypora Jabłoń - Zonszajn.
4. Rachelka with her dad Jakub Zonszajn.
5. Rachelka with her grandma.
6. Danuta Malinowska (real name Dorota Mączyk) - young girl saved from the ghetto by Irena Zawadzka and Zofia Glazer - Olszakowska.
7. Sabina Zawadzka, mother of Ms Irena.
8. Rachelka and Stefanek, Ms Irena's nephew; during the war.
9. Common photo of Zofia Glazer - Olszakowska, Rachelka, Mrs Sabina Zawadzka, Stefanek and his mom Krystyna, just before Rachelka's departure to France and then Israel.
10. Rachela at the age of 19, photo taken in Israel.
11. Rachela and her older son Gal.
12. Common photo during Rachelka's stay in Poland in the mid '90's.
13. The Yad Vashem Memorial Wall.
14. - 17. Medals and Diplomas from Yad Vashem.
18. Ms Irena Zawadzka with her Yad Vashem Diploma.
19. The quotation of Ms Irena Zawadzka.
20. Ms Irena Zawadzka.
21. Ending titles.
was unusually warm as January, Sunday evening. In a moment we had to meet with Ms. Irene. A few days earlier wykonałyśmy to her phone. We had many concerns as to this conversation, after all we were really for her complete strangers who had told Ms. Irena here my entire life. There, we were very confident in this situation, because so much that we wanted to do for Mrs. Irena good impression on first contact. Very precisely and opowiedziałyśmy przedstawiłyśmy with the entire draft, "36" just "so as not to leave our interlocutor, or a shadow of doubt. Then we heard a brief: "It could Sunday, 18?". We were shocked, with no questions or hesitation Mrs. Irene invited us to her and gave her address, thus agreeing to cooperate with us.
From the beginning of our cooperation we had not gone quite smoothly. Ms. Irene gave us the exact address and explain how to get to her apartment located in the city center, near the Place of the Savior. Both made an appointment 15 minutes earlier to get there safely. Encouraged by the first friendly conversation with Ms. Zawadzka, confident, very happy in spirit, we marched to the address indicated. We found a house and we called the given number. We call, and nothing ... Nobody answer the intercom. Zdziwiłyśmy a bit and we called again. Still no effect. Wymyślałyśmy blackest scenarios that may Irena forgot about us, or maybe something happened to her ... Longer wanted to go, yet the last time and zerknęłyśmy obróciłyśmy the house. It turned out that it had four floors - something we did not fit here ... Ms. Irena told that lives on the sixth floor! Then it occurred to us to look again at the paper with the address, and found that, of course pomyliłyśmy house numbers ... This is not as a good start.
After verifying the address, went to look for proper building. This time, our sense of direction did not fail, because once odnalazłyśmy house where she lived. We called intercom and odetchnęłyśmy of relief, because Irena received.
we called for a door that opened up after a while we drobniutka, cheerful person. We sat at a table and immediately offered us tea and cake. We had a moment to look after her little flat. It was very cozy, it was full of pictures and shelves with books, and paintings hung on the walls, which immediately caught our attention, but more on that later ... Boiled water for tea is far too long, and we we were extremely impatient and interesting as the conversation unfolds. After a while we started ...
It was a very warm (for January) on Sunday evening. In a minute the were supposed to meet Ms. Irena Zawadzka, the Righteous Among the Nations with whom we planned to make an interview. We were a little worried about how the conversation would look like, because we were complete strangers to her. Although we also had some problems with the address (our fault, as usual…) and our worries, we managed to get to her flat. Finally, as soon as we began to talk, we discovered that there was no need to be worried – it came out that Ms Irena is a very kind person and she is really interested in our work, and she agreed to cooperate with us instantly.
So she began her story...
Pani Irena zaczęła swoją opowieść od czasów szkolnych, które bardzo miło wspominała - to wtedy zrodziła się her friendship with Tzipora Apple, which they called a friend and even a glance cypa przepadały for it. Nobody is bothered that she was Jewish - at that time half the Siedlce was Jewish. Both girls liked school much, and the small Irena particularly fond of French lessons. After those wonderful school years came the year 1939 and the war, which completely surprised them. Tzipora had married, her husband was Jacob Zonszajn. Soon, their friendship was put to a severe test - the Germans began to resettle all the Jewish residents of the Big Ghetto. It also hit Tzipora and her husband, her parents and baby daughter - Rachelka.
During this time, Justin lived with his brother and mother at home for the city, her father was gravely ill and died at the beginning of the occupation. Irene's uncle was drafted as a military doctor, and later he interned in the camp German. In this situation, the family decided to take care of Zawadzkich aunt and we all came together.
Mama Irene, Sabina Zawadzka / Irene's mother, Sabina Zawadzka.
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Siedlce ghetto was then still nieobmurowane, and the gates remain open, so Tzipora frequently visited her friend, but always the same - her husband James had responsibilities, because he was a policeman in the ghetto.
Ms. Irena Began her story, talking about her school days. She remembers this time as a very happy period of her life - it was the time when she and Tzipora applewood Their friendship started. Tzipora (shorter called “Cypa” by her friends) was very popular at school and had many friends. Nobody was thinking about her as a Jew – at that time half of the Siedlce’s population was Jewish. Both girls, Irena and Cypora liked school very much, and Irena simply adored French lessons.
After those wonderful school years, there came the year 1939 with the war which completely surprised them. At that time Cypora was already married to Jakub Zonszajn. Soon Irena and Cypora’s friendship was exposed to a severe attempt – the Nazis began to repatriate all Jewish residents, such as Cypora with Jakub, their parents and their little baby girl – Rachelka, to the Ghetto.
At that time, Irena lived along with her brother and mother in a house far from the town centre. Her father was very ill and he died at the beginning of the German occupation. Irena’s uncle was mobilized as a military doctor and later he was also an internee in the German 'prisoner – of war' camp. In such situation, the Irena’s family decided to take care of his wife and they moved to her house – together, they were more safe.
The Ghetto in Siedlce was still open at that time so Cypora often went out to visit her friend Irena, but always alone – her husband Jakub had obligations, because he was a policeman in the Ghetto.
Był rok 1942, kiedy córeczka Zonszajnów miała roczek. Rodzice a little love, it was also the apple of his grandmother. However, all accompanied by anxiety and fear for Rachel, as the Germans began a campaign closing of the ghetto. They began to move, work was transferred to the Small Ghetto, whose area is constantly reduced. In Siedlce huge terror reigned. Most Poles are worried about their friends, acquaintances and neighbors in a closed ghetto.
Cypory log fragment, written in the ghetto, in hiding in the attic.
Irena not recall any anti-Semitic behavior from Siedlce Polish origin. Polish and Jewish communities complement each other, and needed. Poles were the customers of shops run by Jews, and Jewish children to go, as Tzipora, to Polish schools. Family Zawadzkich used the services of Jewish tailors, hairdresser Irene was also a Jew, and combed it in his private apartment. Yet there were also various infamous cases of anti-Semitism. Ms. Irena, for example, only recently became aware of one such story. A wealthy Pole, the owner of a bar and grocery, enjoyed high credibility among the Jews, who, when they stepped up repression by the Germans, entrusted him with their valuables and large sums of money. After a while one of the Jews came to collect his money, but the owner, rather than give them to him, called a policeman, what would be tantamount to issuing a death sentence on a Jew. In desperation, the Polish Jew shot and fled. That cop did the same, not wanting to interfere in the matter.
It was 1942 When the Zonszajns' daughter Rachela was one year old. Her parents loved her very much and she was her grandma’s most precious thing. Hovewer, all of them were scared about Rachelka – the Nazis began closing the Ghetto. Everybody in Siedlce was terrified. Most Poles were really worried about their Jewish friends and neighbours closed in the Ghetto.
Rewritten piece of Cypora's diary written in the Ghetto. Translation by Stella Morawska.
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Ms Irena doesn't remember any anti-Semitic behaviour on the part of the Siedlce residents of Polish origin. The Polish and the Jewish communities needed each other very much in a day – to – day life. Poles were the customers of shops run by Jews and Jewish children went (just like Cypora) to Polish schools. Irena’s family was a customer of Jewish tailors, Irena’s hairstylist was also Jewish. Despite this, there were some disgraceful cases of anti – Semitism. Irena only recently became aware of one such story. A wealthy Pole, the owner of a bar and a shop, enjoyed a high credibility among the Jews, who, along with the growing repressions from the Germans, started giving him their valuables and large sums of money. After some period of time, one of those Jews came back to take his money, but the owner rather than give it to him, called a policeman, which was a kind of the death sentence for that Jew. In the act of desperation, that Jew shot the Pole and Fleda. The same did the policeman, as he did not want to be a part of a dry case.
With the closing of the gates of the ghetto with her mother Irene Sabina przeczuwały with Tzipora eventually will come to them and were prepared for that. They also knew that in the ghetto, she was a friend of Dorothy Mączyk-Cypory.
One night, when they were alone at home, Irene and her mother was awakened by a knock on the window. Expecting a message from Cypory, immediately ran to the door. Their eyes appeared frightened faces; Cypory low Rachelka and Dorota. All three were in Zawadzkich for the night. The next day, Justin informed of their common friend about what had happened. One of them, Ela, Polish formed an identity card for Dorothy Mączyk, in the name Danuta Malinowska. It succeeded because it had knowledge of Elah. Tzipora did not want to expose Zawadzkich family and decided to leave their house, but before Mrs. Sabina asked for custody of Rachel. Irene and her mother agreed to without hesitation, not imagined that, in such a situation would have done otherwise. They decided, however, help also the Cyporze and find her a place to hide. Thanks to the involvement of other friends, Sophia Olszakowskiej, they managed to find a home for Cypory underground on the border of the city. She lived there for two weeks, during which time Justin visited her almost daily, bringing news of Rachelce.
Hiding Rachel, at home, incurring great danger, but tried to not think about it.
With the closure of the gates of the Ghetto, Irena and her mother Sabina felt that Cypora would finally come to them and they were prepared. They also knew that in the Ghetto there was a friend of Cypora, Dorota Mączyk.
One night when they were alone at home, they were woken by tapping on the window. Waiting for many days for any message from Cypora, they immedately ran to open the door. They saw terrified faces of Cypora, little Rachelka and also Dorota. The three of them stayed the whole night at Irena’s house. The next day, Irena called their friends to tell them what happened. One of the girls, Ela, made a false Polish kennkarte for Dorota – stating the name of Danuta Malinowska. She did it only because she knew who she needed to talk with. Cypora didn’t want to endanger Irena and her family, so she decided to leave, but before she did, she asked Irena's mother Sabina to look after Rachelka. She agreed without any doubts – she and her daughter knew that in such a situation they had to help.
However, they also wanted to help Cypora and find a hiding place for her. Thanks to the commitment of another friend, Zofia Olszakowska, they managed to find a conspirational flat in the suburbs. Cypora lived there for two weeks and Irena visited her almost every day, bringing some news about Rachelka.
Hiding the child at home, they were in a great danger, but they tried not to think about it.
The presence of Rachel's hiding there were no problems. Zawadzcy lived in a neighborhood of detached houses, the neighbors probably not aware of her presence. The closest they could only guess. So far, both Rachelka and Tzipora were safe. Despite this, Tzipora could not be reconciled with the idea remained in the ghetto with her beloved husband and parents. As she wrote in her journal, decided to return to her husband and parents, whom she found, however, no longer - were deported to Treblinka. Tzipora and James were aware that they are waiting the same fate. They did not want to die at the hands of the Germans, they took So sad decision about suicide. They both went to the edge of the forest, Tzipora died, while her husband tried to kill himself, but he did not - was captured by the Germans and most likely it happened, what we most feared - was killed by the Germans in Treblinka. Before his death, Tzipora wrote to Irene and Mrs. Sabina beautiful letter, in which Rachel, entrusted to them. They were also sent his startling memoirs, written during a stay in the ghetto. Unfortunately, many years after the war, Irena, who then suffered from schizophrenia, imagined that come to her house Germany. Cypory destroyed part of the diary, fearing that it is not found. To this day he can not get over, and for many years, in dreams, Germany continued her nachodzili.
Danusia and took care of Sophia Olszakowska, whose friend had a shop - Danu was working there. After several days, the Germans organized a round-up near the shop and caught Danusia, which thanks to kenkarcie managed to conceal their Jewish origin. By the end of the war she worked in Germany and it is uratowało.
Hiding Rachelka was not a problem. Irena’s family lived in a district of single – detached houses, so the neighbours rather weren’t aware of her presence. So far, Rachelka and Cypora were safe. Despite this, Cypora couldn’t forget that her husband and their parents were still in the Ghetto. As she wrote in her diary, she decided to return to her beloved ones. However, they weren’t there any longer; their parents were deported to Treblinka. Cypora and Jakub realized that the same fate awaited them. As they didn’t want to die from the hands of the Germans, they took a decision to commit a suicide. They went to the edge of the forest – Cypora died, but as Jakub tried to kill himself, he was captured by the Nazis and it happened what they two had feared the most – he was murdered by the Nazis in Treblinka.
Before her death Cypora wrote to Irena and Sabina a beautiful letter, in which she entrusted Rachelka to them. She sent them also her shocking diary, written during her stay in the Ghetto. Unfortunately, many years after the war, Irena (who was suffering from schizophrenia), while she was not feeling good, imagined that the Nazis were entering her home. So she destroyed a part of Cypora’s diary, because she feared that they would find it. Until today, she still has the nightmares about the Germans entering the house.
In the meantime, Danusia was kept by Zofia Olszakowska in her home. Zofia’s colleague had a shop, where Danusia was supposed to work. One day the Germans organized a Łapanka (the Polish name for a German practice, when the SS, Wehrmacht and Gestapo rounded up civilians on the streets of Polish cities – it was a sort of chasing for people) and caught Danusia. Thanks to kennkarte, she managed to hide her Jewish origins and she worked as a Pole in Germany until the end of the war, which literally saved her.
Rachelka cały czas przebywała w domu Ireny. W Siedlcach zrobiło się bardzo niebezpiecznie, Niemcy szukali ukrywających się Żydów. Zawadzkie, due to the imminent danger Rachelce, gave it to the orphanage. It was not easy for them to come to terms with separation, they often visited a small one. At the first visit Rachelka was healthy and very happy, but when I visited it once again, the child was very ill. Ms. Irena says that she remembers her as she sat alone, leaning, poor ... Without hesitation, she took a little from back home. My friend Irene, Lucy, Rachel, helped her to take so that no one noticed. Lucy had a friendly doctor, who could be trusted. Took It Rachelka and slowly began to return to health. And so, without any major problems with Zawadzkimi Rachelka lived until the summer of 1943. Most of the day took care of her Mrs Sabina, and after returning from work also Irena. Ms. Irena remembers lying Rachelka, słabiutka still on the couch, and when she entered the room, she began to cry. Irena says, not least because it does hurt her, it was ordered to Irene: "I'm here, take me in his arms!" When Justin took her in my arms, cease to cry a little. "She was after all a tiny crumb. "
favored Rachel's hiding the fact that there was little Semitic features, in contrast to her mother Cypory, which practically was not to save. One day, Irena future school friends, to confer on aid to Cypory. One of the girls, Jackie Wierzchowska, suggested that it may be oxidized Cype. Irena recalls how despite all the horror of this situation, laughing that Tzipora oxidized to rescue her.
Rachelka stayed at Irena’s house all the time. It was very dangerous in Siedlce at that time, the Germans were looking for hiding Jews everywhere. Due to the danger, Irena decided to take Rachelka to an orphanage. It wasn’t easy to deal with her absence, so she visited her very often. During the first visit the child was healthy and cheerful, but the next time, Irena and her mother found her very sick. Irena remembers that during the visit Rachelka sat alone, far from other kids, and she was so weak… Without hesitation, they took her back home. A friend of Irena, Lucyna, helped her to take the child so that no one saw. Lucyna had a friend who was a doctor, who was trustworthy and he healed the child. And so, without any bigger problems, Rachelka lived with Irena’s family until the summer of 1943. For a great part of the day, it was Sabina who was taking care of her, and then when Irena was coming home from work, she stayed with the child. Irena remembers one day, when she came back and Rachelka was lying on the sofa, still a little bit weak, and when Irena entered the room, the girl started crying. As Irena says, not because she was harmed or so, but it was Rachelka’s command for her: “I’m here, carry me!”. When Irena took her, she immediately stopped crying. “She was such a tiny little thing!” – says Irena.
Hiding Rachelka was also easier by a fact that she had few semitic features, as opposed to her mom Cypora, who was practically impossible to be saved due to her look. One day, Irena invited their school friends to talk about what to do to help Cypora and hide her. One of the girls, Jadzia Wierzchowska, suggested that they should try to use peroxide to bleach her hair. Ms Irena remembers how, despite the horror of the whole situation, they laughed that Cypora would have her hair dyed like a model, just to be rescued – they knew it wouldn’t work.
Podczas wojny, gdy Niemcy szli na wschód, kwaterowali w Siedlcach swoich żołnierzy, wszystkie lepsze domy były pozajmowane - The owners had no right to object when upatrzyli yourself a house and issued an attachment order it. They occupied the house for one night Zawadzkich. When quartered in their major, the brother of Irene, who knew German, he was just at home. Major said to him: "The driver is the SS man, watch out." Later, when the Germans had been beaten and returned from the East, these same officers stopped again in Zawadzkich - the family was already aware that you need to watch out for the SS and we all watched Rachel's especially .
In September 1942, Siedlce returned from Wieliczka brother of Irene. There he worked in the mines and got the mobilization of the army. In Krakow, his girlfriend lived, they wanted a wedding before his departure. So come to Siedlce September 8, and immediately all went to church. When the priest was doing the marriage certificate, launched the first air raid on Siedlce. Almost everyone did not die, windows shook, flying debris, while the neighboring house was demolished. Irene has been lightly grazed by shrapnel in the leg.
During the war, Germans took all the best houses in Siedlce for their private using. They also stayed at Irena’s house for one night. There was a major, who talked once with Irena’s brother. Zawadzki, who spoke German, was told that the German driver was from SS, so they’d better watch out. Later, when Germans were already defeated by the Soviets and were going to the West again, the same officers stopped at Irena’s house – the family already knew that one of them was a SS member, so they were watching over Rachelka more carefully.
In September 1942 Irena’s brother returned to Siedlce from Wieliczka with his fiancée Krystyna (later they would have a baby boy, Stefanek), a girl from Cracow. They wanted to get married before his mobilization to the army. So They Came to Siedlce, on September 8th and they all went to the church. When the Priest Had Counted the marriage act, the Germans started to bombard Siedlce. Fortunately, no one in the church died, but the house was totally Neighbouring destroyed. Irena was slightly harmed in the leg.
In mid-1943 once it became dangerous. German boys came into the house garden and threw stones Zawadzkich the windows, and their aunt przepędzała. In addition, ten minutes from their house was headquarters of the Gestapo, so there was never known when a German enters. Once he came home to Germany, told everyone to leave house, but nobody knew why. They were ordered too, do not know why, open all the windows. As it later turned out, the Germans blew up the monument of Independence at the New town of Siedlce. There was a terrible roar, then a household can get back to you. Another time the Germans searched the house, taking the radio. Zawadzcy also had a receiver, so they decided to dig a brother of Irene down to hide it there, but he could not. Germans searched the house and the radio was in the kitchen, covered with various scraps of paper. Ms. Sabina sat there and cooked, so the Germans did not come up with is that the radio could be hidden in such a place. Of course they did not find the camera. Thanks to the family knew what was happening in the world. By day they hid in the receiver box with sand, in the evening and everyone pulled anxiously listened to world news. Rachel's Germany also did not recognize. However, invasion by the Germans were too frequent, Zawadzkie could no longer expose and Rachel's family. With the help of Sophia came Olszakowska that took a little and she lived with her for entering the Russians.
In the summer 1943 the situation Became Dangerous again. Not far away from Justin's house was the Gestapo's seat. Several times the German officers Organized some searches in Zawadzkie's house but fortunately They have never recognized the Rachel. However the risk was too big and could not longer Zawadzkies endanger the family. Then Sophie Olszakowska-a school friend of Justin and Tzipora-Offered her help and took Rachel to Zakrzówek in the Lublin region.
At the time spent with family Rachelka Olszakowskich, Irena went to Warsaw, where it pulled off its long-standing friend, Danuta. Justin has always wanted to take an active part in the fight against the Nazis. In Warsaw a friend persuaded her to act in the conspiracy and dragged it to the Army. Although Irene has enjoyed this opportunity to stay in the capital and the chance to be operational in the conspiracy, all her enthusiasm was quickly quenched. Residing with his wife Danuta and her mother. On Saturday and Sunday, two ladies came out for adoption to her aunt Danuta, who had a beautiful villa on the Wawel. At that time, Irene was left alone at home. Her friend turned out to be horrible for Irena - to address it very unpleasant tone was gruff. In her apartment was a frequent visitor to the commander, whose very nice Irena recalls. Despite this, during a visit to the commander always had to leave the room - sat alone in his room with the door closed. Given this treatment, Irena went into a depression - just did not expect such adoption. However, they quickly forgot about nieprzyjemnościach and returned to work in the underground. She was a liaison officer, after the Warsaw przemykała to deliver letters and secret reports and other materials. Met along the way different people, but could not make any contacts, exchange of names - all this to as little as possible about himself to know. Despite all the precautions saved in the conspiracy, made friends with an older woman, Mrs. Wenceslas, who was a painter and sculptor. So far, the housing wall hanging Irena its two images. Conducted many interviews in which Irene confided their problems Danuta. Ms. Wenceslas decided to ask this to the commandant and told him the situation in which there is Justin. The commandant immediately decided to grant leave to Irena, the more that her depression deepened. Banned her from any action conspiracy in Siedlce, since they do not want to expose both herself and the success of the performed action. After returning to Siedlce feel better - the family began to regain strength. Despite this, she wanted to be for something needed. Several times the soldiers were accommodated in Zawadzkich AK. The commandant turned to tell her that she could return to the conspiracy later, in the event of an uprising in Warsaw. However, when the Russians arrived in the capital, there was no access to it - the Soviets took all the trains and major roads.
Later it became Rachelka bit safer and could return to Irena.
At the same time, Irene was living with my aunt, mother, brother and his wife and their baby son, who was born in March 1942. Rachelka and Stefanek, even though it was from her younger (Rachelka was born, according to messages left by her mother Tzipora, 1 October 1941), were a wonderful couple - romp together, laughed and had fun.
Irene's uncle, who went to the front at the beginning of the war, he returned after five years. Irena says, after his return he looked like an old man, war, completely finished off, he sclerosis. For hours he could play with Stefanki and Rachelka he called Marysia (according to the false Polish papers) - for example, turned a pipe in his mouth upside down and pretended to be a rhinoceros, and the children zaśmiewały, Rachel, sadzał often the wardrobe, which she liked a girl.
While Rachela was living with Zofia Olszakowska, Irena went to Warsaw invited by her old friend- Danuta. During her stay she joined the AK (Home Army) conspiration and worked as a 'go - between'. But after some time her friend had become unpleasant for her, Irena didn’t feel comfortable in that situation and she decided to come back to Siedlce. And she took a really good decision because the situation calmed down, it wasn’t as dangerous as it had been before and Rachela could come back to Zawadzkie’s house. There Rachelka made friends with Irena’s nephew - Stefanek - who was at the same age as she was. They were the best friends.
At the end of the war corresponded with Sophie Olszakowska Rachel's uncle, who lived in Palestine, and who at some point, "admonished" about it. Ms. Sabina did not want to give a little, she wanted to educate her. Irena much longed for baby - many times she dreamed he was looking for a girl that is in the ghetto - the longing has always been manifested in dreams.
Jewish organization took Rachel, in the autumn of 1945.
In 1947, Irena was a French government scholarship to study in Paris, the Romance languages \u200b\u200bdepartment.
After some time Danu went to America, to his uncle. Then decided to go there to Israel, he was very badly treated by the aunt. In Israel, she married, had two daughters. Both have visited together with her mother Mrs Irene in 2006. After a few months Danusia died.
At the end of the war Zofia Olszakowska was coressponding with Rachela’s uncle living in Israel who wanted to take the girl in. It was a hard decision for Irena and her mother but they had no choice. In the autumn 1945 the Jewish organisation took Rachela with themselves. After the parting Irena went to Paris as she had got the scholarship from the French government to study the French language. Danusia went to Paris too and there she met Irena. Still she wasn’t there too long because she decided to go to Israel.
While being in Paris, Irena got the information that Rachela would stay in the city for some time on her way to Israel. Irena got her adress and she visited the little girl a few times.
Rachelka went to my uncle after two years of residence in France, in 1947. Previously, there was war in Palestine, which prevented her arrival. Lived with his uncle and his wife. She was right there, but by the time. When his uncle was born a child, she was very jealous Rachelka and aunts were afraid that the child can do harm. So they gave it to the kibbutz, where she received an excellent education and training. There she met her husband, with whom, however, divorced after a few years. Later, she met another man - Married him married, had two sons - Gala and spring. Younger, Jary, traveled throughout South America. While staying at a hotel was just in the bathroom, shaved. During this time the tube ulatniał gas. The door was closed and strangled to. Elder, Gal, settled in the U.S., in San Francisco. After some time Rachel also traveled to the United States, lived and worked in New York. She traveled extensively, and on each trip she sent Mrs. Irena photos.
In 1947, Rachel finally Reached Israel. She Settled with her uncle's family. But in the family, a baby was born and Rachel was jealous of the little girl. Then uncle DECIDED to settle in kibbutz Rachel as he was afraid That she could to a harm to the baby. In kibbutz Rachel got a good education and there she met her Also first husband. But after some time They got Divorced. Rachel married again and She Gave birth to two boys-Gal and Jary.
In the late nineties in Rachel's brain tumor was detected. With time, the disease has deepened, she sent to Mrs. Irena only very short list. She died in 2001. The funeral took place in Israel - despite his relatively advanced age, came to him, Sophie Glazer (nee Olszakowska) and Irena. The funeral was very solemn. Before his death, Rachel has visited them every year, met with Mrs. Irene at home, came a brother and a nephew of Mrs. Irene.
One of the reasons why Mrs. Irene recalls a very nice stay in Israel are the medals that were handed to her there. Medal from Yad Vashem, Irena has three (along with the diplomas.) The first medal, which is most important to her, had a hilarious story. Had planned to get it in Warsaw, the Embassy of Israel, but before his departure is not zdążono service there. During his stay in Israel, got another medal - at the ceremony were present, Lech Walesa, who spoke, revealing signs of the Yad Vashem memorial. Mrs Irene and her mother have only plates, because the same trees of the Righteous at Yad Vashem was so much longer then that for them there was not enough space.
As for the story of the first coin, which was to be handed in Warsaw - in the end, Irena received it on a coach when she returned from Israel with a group of Polish. Received the third medal at a party at the mayor of Tel Aviv.
title Righteous Among the Nations Irena Cyporze owes, in principle, diary, which, after you left. After the war Irena Zofia Glazer went to the Ministry of Justice, the Commission for the Investigation of Nazi Crimes. There he left a diary, because right after the war Rachelka not express a desire to read the memories of his mother. After some time, but changed her mind and wanted to recover the diary. Then Mrs. Irena went with a friend to the Commission and asked for a refund of the diary. To this end, had to write a letter to the prosecutor, who was chairman of the Commission. The prosecutor, after reading the memories Cypory Zonszajn Irena realized that it is entitled to apply for a medal awarded by Yad Vashem. Ms. Irena wrote a letter a letter in which she described the story of Rachel. Sophie Glazer and has been in contact with the uncle of Rachel, who has notified the relevant authorities in Israel about the achievements of Mrs Irene. Rachelka finally regained her diary.
For all that time Rachela stayed in touch with Irena and she returned to Poland every year to visit her.
At the end of 90’s Rachela felt ill - she had a brain tumor. She died in 2001, both Irena and Zofia were present at the funeral ceremony.
The title of the Righteous Among the Nations Irena owes to Cypora and her diary which was the proof in the procedure followed by Yad Vashem.
Initially Rachela didn’t want to get back her mom’s diary. As she became more adult she changed her mind. Irena sent her the diary so Rachela could read her mum’s memoirs.
I tu się kończy wielka historia małej Rachelki, która część swojego życia zawdzięcza Ms. Irena Zawadzka Sabina and her mother. Owes them the courage, tenacity, determination, love and sense of justice, which never left Irena. It is thanks to these people - Righteous Among the Nations - we find that in times of war and the inhuman persecution of nations, people lived, in which respect for human dignity has not disappeared.
for us - the authors of the blog - share in the project was very important and diverse experience. First of all, we are honored and extremely happy that we had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person which is Irena. Meeting with her was a real pleasure for us and told us the story of Rachel's alive in us today - and never forget about it. We hope that through our stored memories, the story will go even to many people and will continue to live.
We hope that participation in this project and our contribution to it will contribute to the dissemination of the history of the Righteous and the survivors. We believe that this will help in raising awareness of Poles and Jews about the solidarity of our peoples who have lived together for many years before the war, support in difficult times of occupation i Zagłady, a które teraz powinny dążyć do odbudowania tego zaufania.
Autorki bloga - Magdalena Majewska i Ola Matejek
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Here is the end of the story of little Rachelka who owes a big part of her life to Ms Irena Zawadzka and her mother Sabina. She owes her life to courage and obstinacy which have never left Irena. Owing to people like the Righteous Among the Nations we see that in the inhuman times of the war, there still lived people who respected human dignity.
For us - the authoresses of the blog - taking part in the project was a very important and valuable experience. We are very happy that we had an opportunity to meet such a great person as Irena. The meetings were a great pleasure for us and the story that she told us has been living in us up to now. We hope that by the memories written here down, Rachela’s story will reach to many readers and thanks to them it will be still alive.
We also hope that our participatin in this project will contribute to the spreading out the history of the Righteous and the Surviviors. We believe that it will help to make Poles and Jews aware of the solidarity of our nations who had been living together for a long time before the war broke up, were supporting each other in the hard times of occupation and now should aim at rebuilding this confidence.
authoresses of the blog - Ola Matejek and Magdalena Majewska
