Pelc Kamilla

Pelc, Kamilla In 1941, before Irena Weksztein’s parents were deported from Czestochowa to a forced-labor camp, they found a way to make contact with Kamilla Pelc, who, motivated by her love of humanity and without asking for or receiving any remuneration, agreed to take their two-year-old daughter under her wing. Pelc, a war widow, lived with her son Karol, and risked her life to smuggle young Irena into her apartment and obtain “Aryan” papers for her. She introduced Irena Weksztein to curious neighbors as her niece and cared for her as if she were her own. Over time, Irena grew very attached to Pelc and her son, and looked upon them as her mother and brother. Despite the many dangers they encountered, Irena remained in their home until the liberation in January 1945. After the war, Irena’s parents, who survived the war, came to take her with them. Because the young girl had become so attached to her adopted family, she refused to accept her real parents. Her refusal was so intense that they had to leave the girl with Pelc for a few more months. Irena eventually immigrated with her parents to France and kept in touch with Pelc for many years. On March 30, 1998, Yad Vashem recognized Kamilla Pelc as Righteous Among the Nations. File 7976