| ZEGOTA |
Its Headquarters was situated at 24 Zurawia Street, and held " office hours " twice each week during which couriers would pick up or request documents, clothing, or arrange for food, shelter or medecine for the Jews in hiding. Despite the enormous number of people who knew the location of Zegota's head office, by a miracle it had never been raided by the Germans. Whenever they were under surveillance, they continued their administration in the homes of various other members. Without the help of Zegota, and organizations like it, it would have been impossible to save even one Jew. Poland was the only Nazi-occupied country where helping the Jews was punishable by death. But there were many Poles who risked their lives and the lives of their famillies in order to help the Jews. One Polish man was caught tossing a sack of bread over the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto - and was instantly shot by the Nazis. Throughout the war at least 20,000 members of Zegota were captured and executed by the Germans. Thousands more were imprisoned, tortured, and sent to concentration camps. It is impossible to determine how many Poles helped the Jews. When the Nazis discovered Jews hiding in Polish homes, they were shot along with the Poles who were sheltering them. Often entire families, friends, and neighbors were murdered. No witnesses remained to tell the story. That many Poles did not attempt to help the Jews had more to do with terror of the Germans, than indifference towards the Jews. We must all ask ourselves if we would have risked our lives and the lives of our own children to save people in similar circumstances. [ Editors Comment: There are some Jews today who acknowledge Zegota's mission but only grudgingly, and go so far as to complain that Zegota didn't save enough Jewish lives. Far too many people are ignorant of the fact that ethnic Poles were also targets for annihilation, and their rescue missions had to proceed with the greatest of caution. Logistics and planning were necessary aspects of each case they encountered, and needless to say, required inordinate amount of time and preparation. It was difficult enough for Poles to carry out their mission secretly, but to do so under the constant scrutiny of the Germans was nothing short of amazing. ] |
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