Lerczyński Ryszard

Lerczyński Ryszard Upon the occupation of Łódź, the Lerczyńskis came to the help of Chaim Putersznyt and 13-year-old Ruchla Frymer, their neighbors and friends, and provided them with bread and other staple foods. After rumors spread concerning the imminent deportation of the Jews of Łódź, which was annexed to the Reich, Ryszard Lerczyński prepared a shelter in their apartment for the two refugees. Putersznyt moved into the hiding place, but did not stay for long. At the advice of relatives, he decided to move into the ghetto, where Frymer was already living. Even then, Ryszard decided to continue helping Putersznyt and Frymer. Throughout the ghetto’s existence, Lerczyński used to enter it surreptitiously and bring the two foodstuffs and medicines, without expecting anything in return. Thanks to his help, the two were able to survive the particularly harsh isolation conditions of the Lodz ghetto. In risking his life to save his friends, Lerczyński was guided by humanitarian consideration and a true friendship that triumphed over adversity. Upon the liquidation of the ghetto in the summer of 1944, Putersznyt and Frymer were sent to concentration camps. Both survived and after the war, married, and immigrated to Brazil. On September 1, 1992, Yad Vashem recognized Ryszard Lerczynski as Righteous Among the Nations. File No. 5424