Bugajska Julia (Klęsk)

File 4510 Bugajska, Julia The brothers Herman and Majer (Mojżesz) Zwinkler and their 11-year-old sister, Regina Zwinkler (later Regina Rosenstock), lived in the village of Zbydniów, in the Kraków district. In 1942, when they were about to be interned in the Zakliczyn ghetto, the three escaped. For several months, they roamed around in the fields and wandered from one hiding-place to another. All their attempts to find refuge with their acquaintances in Zbydniów failed, however, until in the spring of 1943 Majer went to a former neighbor, Julia Bugajska, who had two young children. Julia agreed to shelter the Zwinklers, although she knew that in doing so she was endangering both her own life and the lives of her children. Majer, the elder of the brothers, tried to find another refuge for himself, but was caught by the Germans and killed. Julia did not construct a special hideout for the young fugitives: they stayed in the attic during the day, only coming down at night to wash and eat. On occasion, when the village was searched for Jews, the two left the house and stayed in the fields until it was safe for them to return. Herman and Regina remained with Julia until the area was liberated by the Red Army in January 1945. After the war, they emigrated to Canada, from where they continued to keep in touch with her. From time to time, Herman also sent Julia money and packages. On January 29, 1990, Yad Vashem recognized Julia Bugajska as Righteous Among the Nations.