Jankiewicz Tadeusz

Jankiewicz, Tadeusz Before the German occupation of Przemyślany in the Lwów district, Jakub Litman rented a room in the home of Tadeusz Jankiewicz. However, in November 1941, when the Germans forbade Poles to rent out rooms to Jews, Litman was forced to leave. Far from abandoning his tenant, however, Jankiewicz brought him food each week to the quarry where he worked. In due course, when Jankiewicz discovered that the Germans were planning to exterminate the Jews, he helped Litman escape to the nearby forest, where he continued to feed and clothe him. In January 1943, the Germans, together with their Ukrainian collaborators, combed the forest for Jews, and Litman was shot. Wounded and bleeding, he dragged himself with the last of his strength to Jankiewicz’s house. Despite the enormous danger, Jankiewicz hid Litman in his house and nursed his wounds, until he recovered. Afterwards, he arranged for him to stay with the local forester, a good friend of his. Even then, Jankiewicz continued to visit Litman and saw to all his needs until the area was liberated by the Red Army in July 1944. In risking his life to save Litman, Jankiewicz was guided by humanitarian motives, which overrode considerations of personal safety or economic hardship. After the war, Litman immigrated to the United States while Jankiewicz moved to central Poland. On May 31, 1966, Yad Vashem recognized Tadeusz Jankiewicz as Righteous Among the Nations.