Bilewicz Tadeusz

Bilewicz, Tadeusz During the occupation, Bilewicz Tadeusz served in the underground as a member of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS). As an activist in the Cracow branch of the Żegota organization, Bilewicz delivered money to Jews hiding on the Aryan side of the city. Bilewicz helped Jews find shelter and at his own initiative and at great personal risk smuggled Jewish refugees across the Slovakian border. Soon, Bilewicz became known as an expert border runner. In February 1944, Bilewicz succeeded in smuggling three groups of Jewish refugees into Slovakia. Bilewicz was most famous for helping Dr. Michał Borwicz Maksymilian (Boruchowicz) - an escapee from the Janowska camp in Lwow with a telltale Jewish aaperiance - move to Cracow. Bilewicz saw his actions as part of his struggle against a common enemy. He received no payment for what he did, but was guided by humanitarian considerations only. On December 24, 1979, Yad Vashem recognized Tadeusz Bilewicz, as Righteous Among the Nations.