The Kruminis-Łozowski Honoured by Yad Vashem

KJ, 16 November 2016
Antoni and Maria Kruminis-Łozowski are the next Poles honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The presentation ceremony took place on 4th April 2012 at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The posthumous medal and certificate were accepted by their grandson, Marek Kruminis-Łozowski. Those who took part in the ceremony included the lady whom they saved, Rachela Varejes, and the Polish Ambassador to Israel, Jacek Hodorowicz, as well as family members and friends of the Righteous.

The Kruminis-Łozowski family – Antoni, Maria and their four children – lived in Jaszunice, 30 kilometres from Vilna. In the summer of 1942, they came across a lost four-year-old little girl, Rachela. They took her to their home and accepted her into their family. They were fully aware of Rachela’s Jewish origins, so that they did not allow her to leave the house alone or to play with the neighbourhood children. She was given the name “Anna” and was also baptised. Rachela lived with the Kruminis-Łozowski family throughout the period of occupation.

After the War, Rachela was reunited with her fourteen year old brother. A few years later, in 1950, her older cousins were located who then took Rachela into their care. Her father, was murdered in 1941 by Lithuanian nationalists. Her mother, Chaja-Esther, perished later in unknown circumstances.

The Kruminis-Łozowski family were recognised as Righteous Among the Nations already in 2005, however Yad Vashem was unable to contact any family members. It was only recently that contact was successfully made with their grandson.

Source: www.yadvashem.org

 

Translation: Andrew Rajcher