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This site is devoted to the memory of Staszow Jews who perished in the Holocaust, in particular to memory of Sima Herszkowicz.
Jews used to live in Poland for hundreds of years. To Staszow they arrived probably around the beginning of the 15th century. They liked the place so much they made it their home until they were murdered by the Nazis.
We have recently celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Black Sunday.
Please read Jack Goldfarb's message for the Ceremony of the Dedication of the Plaque
Honoring the 'Righteous Persons' of the Staszow Area During the Holocaust
"On the fateful morning of 8 November, 1942, the 450 year-old history of the Jews of Staszow came to a tragic end. As the assembled and terrified community of 5000 men and women, small children, grandparents and sick persons were marched out of the Rynek down Ulica Krakowska to their doom, the Nazi Gestapo and their mercenary helpers murdered hundreds of helpless Jews as they staggered along the way. The other citizens of Staszow reacted in different ways. There were those who sorrowfully sympathized with the plight of the Jews. And the truth is there were many others who remained indifferent at best.
But today whom do we choose to remember most ? We remember with the warmest
gratitude those brave souls, who, despite knowing that the Nazis threatened death to those who protected the Jews, listened to their own higher instincts which told them, as true Christians and as human beings, that they had to save the lives of their Jewish "sisters and brothers."
Sad to say, the majority of Staszow citizens at that time, either through their own fears or indifference, did not reach out to those of God's children, who were Jews.
But the 23 "Righteous Persons" whom we honor today gave us sterling examples of the courage and compassion that humanity is capable of, even in the most difficult of times. And most of these people, like Leokadia Dajtrowska and her family, or Maria Szczecinska and her family, would not consider themselves heroes. They simply followed their hearts and their inner voices which guided them to "do unto others as they would have them do unto you. "The truth is that none of us know whether in a similar situation today we would be brave and loving enough to save others at a danger to ourselves. But with the inspiring examples set by those whose names are on the plaque before us, let us hope and pray that God will always give us the courage and faith to act as heroically and faithfully as they did."
To contact me please email research@staszow.co.uk
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Rynek (Market Square) in Staszow
NEW!
Rotenberg photo collection - please click here to visit.
Niziny Appeal!
I am looking for information related to the mass grave in Niziny near Staszow. During the Black Sunday over 740 Jews who died during the "Death March" were buried there.
Plaque
Honoring the 'Righteous Persons' of the Staszow Area During the Holocaust
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