“Righteous Among the Nations” is official terminology to identify those, who, at great risk to themselves, protected and helped save Jewish life during the Shoah. RAN (Righteous Among the Nations), a direct service initiative established by ATZUM, has ensured for the past 12 years that every Righteous Rescuer living in Israel receives support not provided through Bituah Leumi (Israel’s National Insurance Institute) or other public or private resources, making certain that these heroes among us feel appreciated. Here is the story of one Righteous Rescuer and the ATZUM volunteer who has become her long-time companion.
Jaroslawa’s Story: When the Ukrainian town of Zloczow was occupied by Germany in July, 1941, its Jewish citizens were subjected to horrific restrictions and suffering. Aleksander Lewicki surreptitiously began to supply his Jewish neighbors with basic supplies, medicine, and shelter. Aleksander’s bravery was matched by that of his courageous daughter, Katarzyna, and granddaughter, Jaroslawa, whose youth allowed them to act as his couriers without awakening the suspicion of the Ukrainian guards.
The three continued their clandestine efforts until the murder of 6,000 Zloczow Jews by the Germans and Ukrainian nationalists in April, 1943. Among the few survivors were two Jewish girls whom the Lewickis protected until July, 1944, when the area was liberated. The Lewickis also fed 25 other Jews hiding in the basement of a ruined house two kilometers away, despite the distance and great danger. On September 21, 1989, Yad Vashem recognized Aleksander, Katarzyna, and Jaroslawa Lewicki as Righteous Among the Nations.
In Israel, Finally: Jaroslawa, who stayed in Ukraine after the war, faced increasingly bleak social and economic conditions. She visited Israel in 1995 at the invitation of one of the people she had saved, and decided stay and accept Israeli citizenship, settling in Haifa. While some Righteous Rescuers came to Israel soon after Statehood, learned Hebrew, and integrated fairly well into society, others, especially the later arrivals like Jaroslawa, have struggled, their strongest connection to Jews remaining their wartime acts of heroism.
Jaroslawa, now 79, lives alone in a hostel for the elderly. In the words of RAN program coordinator, Levana Dorum: “Jaroslawa a remarkable woman, once told me that there was nothing left in her life except loneliness. All those who mattered to her have passed away, including her closest friend in Israel, one of the many men she saved. She is Christian, which often complicates her life in the hostel where all other residents are Jewish and fluent Hebrew speakers.”
Earlier this year, ATZUM arranged for a Russian-speaking chaplain to visit Jaroslawa to provide much needed spiritual and emotional care. However, it is Katya, a young Israeli Ukranian and Russian-speaking student who has been her steady anchor. This wonderfully dedicated ATZUM volunteer has visited Jaroslawa weekly since making aliyah as a teenager from Belarus in 2006.
ATZUM encourages and offers opportunities for Israeli youth to volunteer time and energy with the dwindling community of Righteous Rescuers in Israel. That Katya and Jaroslawa’s connection has endured so many years, during which Katya completed her army service and B.A, studies and is now pursuing a graduate degree in special education, is remarkably inspiring.
In describing her visits with Jaroslawa, Katya notes that, “Over time, our meetings have become less my giving to her and more our giving to one another. Our talks have become more open, full of emotional sharing. Far from growing apart, we continue to grow closer.” Jaroslava is a remarkable woman I am privileged to know. She is a treasured part of my life; her company fills my grandmother’s place and gives me so very much.“
ATZUM is privileged to recognize Jaroslawa for her bravery, and Katya for honoring the humanity of all Righteous Rescuers.
