Jarosława and Izydor

Jarosława – Sława to those who knew her – was born on February 9th 1919 in Borysław, Izydor (Izek) – on 16th February 1908 in Drohobycz (former Poland, now Ukraine). They met in Drohobycz during the days of Nazi occupation. At that time Izydor was working as a technician in a German workshop where Jews worked as well. He was thinking of possibilities to help his friends.

Izydor trusted Sława and told her about his plans of hiding Jews, whereon she decided to help him. By the time they got married (January 1943) they already established a hiding place with 14 people inside.

It was mainly Izydor who kept bringing new people into the hideout. Sława used to say that only 6 people were really rescued by her; 6 out of 39 because so many people gathered in the end in the basement underneath Wołosiańskis’ apartment. Sława ironically told her husband that he should put a signboard: “On Szaszkiewicza 9 we welcome Jews that have no other place to hide”.

The hideout existed for 22 months: Wołosiański started to hide Jews in September 1942 and the liberation came in August 1944.

In the meantime Sława got pregnant and in August 1943 their first daughter was born.

Wołosiańskis with their daughter Anna

Since Sława felt responsible not only for her family but also for the hidden people, she decided to give birth at home. From now on Sława used the baby carriage with her little daughter to smuggle big amounts of food she needed to buy for the whole group in their house.

Sława with Anna in the baby carriage

Izek was the initiator of the help, whereas Sława had the strenght to realize it. While he would scream at night, having nightmares, she stayed calm and brave. However, the incredible pressure led in Sławas case to a collapse just after the war. For several months she was afraid to leave her house and was deeply depressed.

Although many dangerous situations occurred during the 22 months of helping, luckily everybody survived the war.

Wołosiańskis and the rescued Hela Frey

The rescued people describe Sława and Izek as wonderful, modest and warm-hearted people. In their memories Izydor was the one waving goodbye on the train station when his Jewish friends left Poland after the war. Many of the survivors kept in touch with Sława until her death in 2006, she visited Israel many times. Izydor has never seen his friends again. He died in 1971.