Wola Brzostecka: a monument is uvneiled honouring Jews who were murdered and a Pole who helped them

During the War, Bronisława and Jan Jantoń, of Wola Brzostecka (in the Podkarpackie province), helped the seven-member family – Sara, Henia, Ruchla, Estera, Feida, Rojza and Mojżesz Fisch. When the family hid in a forest in nearby Opacionka, the Jantoni family brought them food. Then, following round-ups in the area, Bronisława and Jan hid the Fisch family on their farm. After three months, fearing further round-ups, the Fisch family moved to a hiding place in the nearby forest. The Jantoń family continued to provide them with food.

On 8th December 1942, most certainly as a result denunciation, German soldiers uncovered the Fisch hiding-place. Just at the moment, Jan Jantoń happened to be there also. All were murdered. They were buried in a common grave in the forest, on the spot where they perished.

In 1992, Bronisława and Jan Jantoń were honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations.

On 11th September 2012, seventy years after that tragic event, family members, clergy, school students and local residents gathered at the grave of Jan Jantoń and the Fisch family. During the event, a monument was unveiled in honour of those murdered. The monument was the initiative of the Pamięć, która trwa (Memory That Endures) Foundation. Prayers for the victims were offered in both Hebrew and Polish. Among those who took part were the Israeli Ambassador, the Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich and Rev Dr Jan Cebulak, the parish priest in Brzostek.