The Anniversary of “Żegota” – an Event for Schools with Survivor Elżbieta Ficowska

Klara Jackl / English translation: Andrew Rajcher, 14 November 2018

School groups are invited to attend the annual commemoration of the establishment of the “Żegota” Council to Aid Jews at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. This year's event will be dedicated to Council activists involved in the saving of Jewish children. The focus will be, first of all, on Irena Sendler, this year being “The Year of Irena Sendler”. Elżbieta Ficowska, rescued from the Warsaw ghetto as a young child, will recount her story and her personal post-war relationship with Irena Sendler. Admission to this event is free.

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The event will commence with an introduction to the history of the “Żegota” Council to Aid Jew, with particular emphasis on the activities of its Children's Department. This will be given by Prof. Dariusz Stola, POLIN Museum Director. Students will lalso view the film Łyżeczka życia (The Spoon of Life), telling the story of survivor Elżbieta Ficowska. As a six-month-old, Elżbieta was carried out of the Warsaw ghetto in a wooden box. A spoon wass placed inside, with her name and date of birth.

5th December, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon POLIN Museum Auditorium

An event for elementary school students (Years 7 and 8) and igh school students:

an introduction to the history of th “Żegota” Council to Aid Jews
a screening of the film Łyżeczka życia
meeting Elżbieta Ficowska
the laying of flowers at the “Żegota” monument

Admission is free. Registration is required via email to [email protected]

The “Żegota” Council to Aid Jews

The Council was established on 4th December 1942 by the Polish Government-in-Exile. It continued to work as the Provisional Committee to Aid Jews, as part of the Delegation for Poland. It encompassed members of leftist and democratic parties and Polish and Jewish organisations, as well as Catholic intellectuals. “Żegota” was the only state organisation in occupied Europe established to save Jews. It actively worked with the underground. Aid consisted primarily of financial support, the organising of hiding-place and the preparation of false documents. Several thousand received help, including hundreds of children who were hidden with Polish families or in orphanages.

This event is part of POLIN Museum's project “The Polish Righteous – Recalling Forgotten History” and POLIN Museum's Education Centre.