Friday, May 12, 2017

Friends!



 On this day in 2008 in Warsaw, died Irena Sandler – a Human with a capital letter, the righteous of nations, that saved 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust. "Every child who was saved with my help and the help of wonderful secret messengers, who are no longer alive - this is the reason of my existence on earth, but not the reason for fame." Obviously, a strong appreciation could be recognized- Irena Sandler lived a long 98 years.

Irena Sandler was born on the 15th of February, 1910 in Warsaw. Her father was a doctor, and when she was only 7 years old, he died of fever – got it from his patient. Irena and her mother were in material need. Suddenly the family was found by the representatives of the local Jewish community. They would like to thank for the free medical care provided by Irene’s father. They offered to pay tuition Irene, until she would become an adult. Her mother refused, but told about the proposal to daughter. This sincere willingness to help struck Irena Sandler in the heart.

In December 1942, 32 years-old Irene became the leader of children's department of the newly created Aid Jews ( "Żegota"). The German authorities feared a typhoid epidemic which was widened through Jewish ghetto. This played into the hands of Irene - she had a pass to the ghetto to distribute drugs and to monitor the hygienic condition. In the ghetto, Irena wore a Star of David in solidarity with Jews. Each of her campaigns in the ghetto Irene could cost her life - every time she took out Jewish children, including babies, mostly orphans.

She always had to invent new methods of escape, children were taken out from the ghetto through the sewers or basements of neighboring homes, the smallest were carried in bags or buried under the tram seats. Another option was to hide the children in the garbage bags and export them. Children were administered a sedative so they were not screaming, but there was a plan for the force majeure situations - ambulance driver had taught his dog to bark on command loudly when it was necessary to pass protection.

Irena often recalled how painful it was to take children from their parents. They all tried to get the guarantee that children would be safe, but no one could guarantee that. Some cried and did not allow to take children - Irene passed these families. And the worst when she returned to the ghetto for a while, she learned that these families with children were taken to concentration camps. Rescued children Irena Sandler gave to checked in family shelters or monasteries.

Once the anonymous wrote the denunciation to the Gestapo. Irena Sandler was arrested in 1943. She was tortured, had broken arms and legs, was sentenced to death. Fortunately, "Żegota" could save her. The organization has found someone to bribe and the name of "Irena Sandler"appeared in the list of killed people.

If you think that scare of death and torment stopped this remarkable woman, it’s wrong- during the war, Irena continued to work and save Jewish children, even though had to walk on crutches.

Overall Irena Sandler rescued about 2,500 children, including nearly 800 – from the Warsaw ghetto. She was able to save all the data, because she buried glass jars with notes about their origin in her garden.

In 1965, Israel paid tribute to the heroine: Irena Sandler was named Righteous among the Nations. But she did not receive the Nobel, although she was one of the nominees in 2006. In April 2009 was released film "Braveheart Irena Sandler," which tells the story of the heroism of the simple and polite woman.

"As a child I was taught that if a person is drowning, it should be saved regardless of religion and nationality." I bow to the feat of Irena Sandler and believe that love for others, mutual support and assistance are something on which great society could be built by smart people for whom humanity is not an empty word.

No comments:

Post a Comment