IT IS FORTUNATE THERE ARE SUCH PEOPLE... - rev. Roman Indrzejczyk

I was a small boy in Żychlin near Kutno when I witnessed the war. I was faced with human terror, helplessness, suffering, degradation, persecution, harm... I saw the ghetto as well – and I felt the grave injustice done to those people, closed off, separated from “our” world. A world that was already so limited by the violence and cruelty of the ruthless, incompassionate Nazi regime.

I know some among us strove to do something to bring some help, some hope, or at least show kindness and solidarity, but I also know these actions were always marked by great fear. And fear was a common thing, as “they” - the occupiers - were in a position to do even the worst of things.

I cannot recall when exactly this happened, but it was certainly before the liquidation of the ghetto: one of my peers, Stasiek, said that the next day would be the “removal” that “Jews would be taken from the ghetto” and that his father would have to take part in it.

I didnotfully comprehend the information, but my dad then said: “He does not have to, an adult person does not have to do what’s wrong, even if they’re ordered to ... You need to help, you need to protect the ones who are harmed, and not take part in the harming.” And I understod that Dad was speaking of something very demanding; and for me, those have been words to live by. The “does not have to,” “should not do evil,” “ought to save, help the oppressed” is more important than any fear or egoism. My young heart held on to the knowledge that only a man like that can deserve respect and recognition. And I suspected that such an attitude is a rare thing...

And that is why I believe help given to others in hard times by any man deserves great respect. I profess this belief from the perspective of both an old and experienced man who has seen a plethora of human behaviour – and from that of a child who believes and remembers that every normal, ordinary human being ought to act that way.

While it is true that all good, all sacrifice and all noble deeds are seen and rewarded by God, it is necessary to take notice and show the world all the admirable things that man is capable of. These people need to go down in history, their stories written in letters of gold. Remembering, reminiscing fondly, rewarding and decorating them is more than just our duty, more than simply doing justice to them: it creates the image of a noble person, an example and hope for the world (because verba docent, exempla trahunt – words instruct, illustrations lead). We can be joyful and proud that among us are people worthy of the utmost respect for their courageous and good deeds, for their magnificent actions; because we know that in fact, their attitude is not common enough, and that all too often, evil creeps into the hearts of men, paralysing noble emotions and good thoughts.

Just as with those who experienced the help given so freely by others, I also bow with great respect before the ones who gave such help. I wish to unite in joy those of us who believe that, although “the world keeps mixing an ounce of good and a barrel of evil”, it shall not perish, for the ounce of good, the handful of righteous people, will save the world we live in.

I wish to congratulate the decorated, and I wish to congratulate all those unknown good people who are still out there, but who have not yet been recognized and awarded.

From the Album „Poles who rescued Jews during the Holocaust – Recalling Forgotten History“, Łódź 2009