Aaron Elster and Edward Weinstein are two survivors of Holocaust, whom hand in medals ‘Righteous among World Nations’ to siblings of their saviours.
Aaron came to Sokolow on the 30th of June just before noon. We arranged in advance that we will go for a walk around town to see how much town changed during those years that he’s been away. We started at cemetery at Chopin Street, where Aaron put flowers on Franciszka and Hipolit Gorski’s grave. They were hiding him at the attic during the war. –Because one person took the risk, I could live, have family, children and grandchildren- he said- I am also able to be here. I owe them so much.
Another place that we visited was house at number 13 Kosciuszko Street. This is where Gorski family used to live.
- Quiet, they’re not strangers! - said current owner to his barking dog. He showed us rooms where Germans were staying during the war. They allowed Gorski family stay at the house, because Franciszka promised to do their laundry. Thanks to that she could hide little Aaron at the attic for 2 years. His sister Irena lived with Gorski family. Elster wanted to visit attic again. – When I was a child it seemed much bigger- he said- during the summer it was very sultry and hot, during winter- quite opposite. I was watching backyard through hole in the roof. I saw there a girl eating strawberries and playing.
Visit to the attic brought lots of memories. Aaron, then a little boy, spent here lots of time. During those 2 years he couldn’t have a shower, cut his hair or use any other facilities. He needed to be extremely careful, for nobody to know that he is hiding there. – You never know, how strong you are, until there is nothing else left, except for being strong- when he said those words, while we were still at the attic, everybody remained silent. None of us was able to imagine, what he’s been through.
We were walking along old Jewish cemetery on Magistracka Street, to the place where used to be synagogue. Opposite there is very old and ruined Jewish Council’s building and beit ha- midrash. – Thursday market was like a special celebration for children- said Aaron looking at area around Brzoska’s place. Today this place is also market centre of the town, but looks completely different.
We went to visit building, where used to be prayers house and Rabbi’s house. At Piekna Street Aaron showed us the place where used to be his home. This journey around Sokolow, which we took together with Noreen Brand (Director of Education for the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Centre in Skokie, Illinois), was an amazing experience. On that day in Sokolow’s Cultural Centre was held a ceremony of handing in medals and diplomas of honour to the siblings of ‘Righteous among the Nations’- It’s an honour and pleasure to be a patron of that kind of happening- said in the beginning mayor of Sokolow, Boguslaw Karakula- there was plenty of Poles, who helped Jews. Among them was Kazimierz Milobedzki. That kind of noble people should be honoured. We can be proud, that we all come from the same town.
Medal was received by Grzegorz Witkowski on behalf of Franciszek and Hipolita Gorski- I’m proud that my family was able to help- he admitted- I will pass this medal to one of the schools. I believe that thanks to this, those people will remain in young people’s memories for many years.
Another survivor that came to Sokolow’s Cultural Centre was Edward Weinstein- In September 1942 I managed to escape from Treblinka- he recalls- I was shot and ran away to Losice. Two weeks after my father escaped from camp in Siedlce. In December we went to Gabryel Szczebunski, pisciculture’s administrator in Wozniki. Man was terrified, as he was visited by police prior to our arrival. Somebody was already hiding in his house; it was a hairdresser from Treblinka. Despite that, he allowed us to build a shed behind one of the ponds. It was near the machine that controlled water levels. For few months he was bringing us food there. In 1944 two of employees found our shed. That was a warning for us. We had to run again. We were hiding in the forest. Unfortunately they have found us there as well and requested money for keeping their mouth shut in front of Germans. We had to change location again. The life I’ve had after, having a big family- that is my answer to Holocaust.
Helena and Gabryel Szczubanski’s medal was handed in to one of their siblings- Bronislawa Bazyluk. Ceremony was led by Ewa Rudnik from Israeli Embassy. All gathered could listen to Uri Meisehman’s and Asaf Shahara’s music.
After official part, Aaron Elster, Noreen Brand and Ewa Rudnik went to ‘Kafejka’ to see the exhibition of pictures of ‘old’ and ‘new’ Sokolow. They were recognizing some of the places they have seen that day. Aaron, despite his earlier promises not to return here again after, promised to come back in autumn to meet pupils in one of the schools.
Katarzyna Markusz
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