Springer Pelagia (Huczek)

Springer-Huczek, Pelagia Rogoziński, Jan Rogozińska, Salomea Rogoziński, Adam Rogoziński, Wiktor Rogoziński, Alfred Before the war, Pelagia Huczek worked in a shoe factory belonging to the Lajzerowicz-Springer firm in the town of Sosnowiec. After the aryanization that followed on the occupation, the Germans appointed her Aryan manageress of the factory. In this capacity, Huczek decided to save Szlomo Springer, the factory owner, and his five-year-old son, Wolf (Zeew). In 1942, she smuggled the little boy out of the ghetto and took him home to her stepfather, Jan Rogoziński, her mother, Salomea, and her three brothers, Alfred, Wiktor, and Adam. During the few months Wolf stayed with the Rogozińskis, the entire family looked after him devotedly. Afterwards, Huczek arranged for him to stay with an acquaintance, paying for his upkeep from her savings and with the proceeds of jewelry she sold. After the liquidation of the Sosnowiec ghetto, Huczek smuggled Szlomo Springer out of the ghetto, and hid him for almost two years in her family’s home, until January 1945, when the area was liberated. Huczek and her family also sheltered Szlomo’s brother, Pinkus, for a short period. In risking their lives to save the Springers, Huczek and her family were guided by a loyalty that triumphed over adversity, and never expected anything in return. After the war, Szlomo married Huczek, who looked after his son as if he were her own. After deciding to throw in her lot with that of the Jewish people, she immigrated to Israel with her husband and son. On December 25, 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Pelagia Springer-Huczek as Righteous Among the Nations. On June 27, 1985, Yad Vashem recognized her stepfather, Jan Rogoziński, her mother Salomea, and her brothers, Alfred, Wiktor and Adam Rogoziński, as Righteous Among the Nations.