MORE RIGHTEOUS HONOURED IN RZESZÓW

KJ, 16 November 2016
A ceremony took place on Friday 15 November 2013 at the Rzeszów Town Hall, honouring Maria and Sta­ni­sław Pół­zię­ciówwith the title of Righteous Among the Nations.. They received the honour posthumously for having hidden five Jews during the occupation.

During World War II, the Półzięciów family lived in Zawadka, near Strzyżów. In 1942, they took into their home five escapees from the Frysztak ghetto (Pod­kar­packie Province): Frida Gersten, her son Leon, her sister Cyla Wizenfeld with her husband Herman and son Mosze. For two years, the Jews hid in the attic of the Półzięciów home. A second specially constructed hiding place was dug underground. This was used in times of greatest threat. They left the Półzięciów home in August 1944, when the Red Army entered Zawadka. After the War, the families maintained mail contact, even after the Gersten and Wizenfeld familes left for the United States.

The title of Righteous Among the Nations was awarded by the Yad Vashem Institute to the Pół­zię­ciów family on the testimony given to them by Leon Ger­ste­n, now living in New York. The medal and certificate were accepted by the Pół­zię­ciów’s son, Cze­sła­w. The presentation was made by the Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Poland, Nadav Esh­car.