Patkowska Aniela (Górna)

Prusakowa-Patkowska, Aniela Hebda, Aniela Files 6124, 6124a Aniela Prusakowa-Patkowska made the acquaintance of the Grossbards in 1941 when she went to work at a military convalescent home in Jaremcze (Stanisławów district). In 1941, after Germany occupied the area, Prusakowa-Patkowska came to the assistance of Jewish acquaintances who were being persecuted both by the Germans and by Ukrainian nationalists. Prusakowa-Patkowska’s actions on their behalf began with smuggling food from nearby Delatyn and, at mortal risk, delivering it to Jews in Jaremcze. When the Germans began to liquidate the Jews in this town, the Grossbards placed their twelve-year-old daughter Sulamit with a Ukrainian neighbor and left word about this with Prusakowa-Patkowska, who at risk to her life delivered Sulamit to relatives of hers in Nowy-Sacz (Western Galicia). In August 1942, when the ghetto was liquidated and Sulamit’s life was in danger, Aniela Hebda, the family’s former domestic, came forward to rescue her. Hebda was working for a German family, but despite the danger, she concealed Shulamit in the loft of her employers’ home, where she met all of her needs until the Red Army liberated the area in January 1945. Prusakowa-Patkowska was active in the Home Army (A.K.) Polish underground and regarded assisting and rescuing Jewish refugees as part of her struggle against the common enemy. After the war, Prusakowa-Patkowska located Sulamit and returned a ring to her that her mother had given her. Aniela Hebda’s motives in her rescue activity were altruism and loyalty to her employer. Both rescuers, despite the danger that threatened them, never sought recompense for their rescue actions. On May 22, 1994, Yad Vashem recognized Aniela Hebda and Aniela Prusakowa-Patkowska as Righteous Among the Nations.