Chojnacka Apolonia

File 2880 Chojnacka, Apolonia During the early months of the occupation, Reinberg Szymon, an attorney, who lived in Warsaw, was already on the Gestapo’s wanted list. In desperation, his wife Irena (later known as: Rybicka Rega) turned to her friend, Chojnacka Apolonia, who agreed to shelter Reinberg in her apartment. Reinberg stayed with the Chojnackis from January to March 1940, but as round-ups of Jews intensified, he was forced to leave his shelter and move to another hiding place. Later, however, he was murdered, as was Chojnacka’s husband. The two widows kept up contact, and when Irena Reinberg was arrested and imprisoned in Pawiak prison, Chojnacka risked her life by bringing her food parcels. Irena survived and after the war immigrated to Israel. In helping the Reinbergs, Chojnacka acted out of a deep sense of loyalty, without expecting any reward, in the full knowledge that she was endangering her own life. On October 2, 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Chojnacka Apolonia as Righteous Among the Nations.