Rekówka Hiding Place for Jews Now a Heritage Site

Mateusz Szczepaniak, 16 November 2016
Thanks to the From the Depths Foundation, a building basement in the Mazowiecki Province town of Rekówka, in which Jews were hidden during the War, has now been registered as a heritage site. It is currently the only such heritage site listed in Poland. Ten Rekówka Poles lost their lives for helping those Jews. The From the Depths Foundation has begun a worldwide search for any relatives of those Jews who were hidden in Rekówka.

During World War II, Jews were hidden in the home of the Skoczylas and Kosior families. Despite the threat to their lives, these Polish families decided to shelter Jews in a specially converted basement. Following a sweep operation by German military police, the Poles were forced into a barn and were burned alive. Located by the From the Depths Foundation, the Rekówka basement is an important site commemorating those events.

According to Jonny Daniels, President of the From the Depths Foundation, "These Poles paid the highest price for their courage. As a Foundation, we can ensure that the basement, which is the only known, original hiding place, is preserved for future generations."

Józef Skoczylas survived the German manhunt. His grandson, Marcin Skoczylas is the current owner of the farm in Rekówka,

"I'm glad that the world will know of my family's story. My family helped Jews, expecting nothing in return and not considering the danger or possible consequences", said Marcin. "I'm proud and moved that my family was able to help those people. With the help of the From the Depths Foundation and Jonny Daniels, my dream is to be able to meet the descendants of those rescued Rekówka Jews."

The house basement in Rekówka has now come under the protection of the Mazowiecki Province Heritage Site Protectorate.

"It is significant that the current owners of the property raised no objection to the preservation order on their property and could even recognise the need for it", said the Protectorate's Rafał Nadolny.

The From the Depths Foundation, the Skoczylas family and the Protectorate would like the Rekówka basement to bear witness to future generations of the tragic events which took place there. It will also tell of the extraordinary courage of these families who decided to help those being persecuted.

The From the Depths Foundations continues to seek information about other similar sites in Poland and has begun a worldwide search for relatives of the Jews who were hidden in Rekówka. Information can be sent to [email protected].