Guidelines

Why is it important to remember Stefania and Helena?

Why is it important to remember Stefania and Helena?

Because of the bravery and ingenuity of Stefania and Helena, the thirteen Jews they hid all survived the Holocaust. Helena and Stefania performed true acts of heroism. They were recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in 1979. Stefania died in 2018 at the age of 97.

Is Stefania fusia Podgorska still alive?

Deceased (1921–2018)
Stefania Podgórska/Living or Deceased

Did Stefania Podgorska have kids?

Stefania Podgorska Burzminski appears at the end of the testimony of her husband, Josef Burzminski (right), to share thoughts on why she risked her life to save him and many others during the Holocaust. Stefania grew up Catholic in Poland. Their son, Edward Burzminski, looks on as she speaks.

Where was Stefania Podgorska during World War 2?

During World War II in Nazi-occupied Przemyśl, Poland, Stefania Podgórska (nicknamed Stefa or Stefi to her friends in America and also Fusia ever since she was a child – pronounced “foosha”) and her younger sister Helena hid 13 Jews for nearly two years, rescuing them from certain death by the Nazis.

Who was Max Diamant in the Podgorski sisters?

Stefania’s prewar employer’s son, Max Diamant, appeared on their doorstep. He escaped with his brother and cousin from the train to Belzec extermination camp. The girls were terrified, but gave Max permission to hide in the attic.

How old was Stefania Podgorska when she married?

The Jews that 17-year-old Stefania helped to hide all survived the war. In 1961 she moved to the United States with Josef Diamant, whom she married.

What was the name of Stefania Diamant’s husband?

In later years, he would change his name to Josef Burzminski and he would become Stefania’s husband of 50 years. As time passed, Diamant asked Stefania to hide others, and still others heard about the haven and showed up at the doorstep.