Capf Adolf & Halina

Capf, Adolf Capf, Halina Halina and Adolf Capf lived on a tiny farm in the town of Buczacz in the Tarnopol district. In February 1943, during the final destruction of the Stanislawow ghetto, Wita Kaswiner (later Reichaw) escaped, after her entire family had perished. After wandering for days and nights through villages and fields, Wita reached Buczacz, where relatives of hers lived. In Buczacz, Wita was approached by Bronia Palek, a Jewish woman, who advised her to seek help from Adolf and Halina Capf, known for their sympathy towards Jews. The Capfs took Wita in without any thought of payment, and obtained forged documents for her stating that she was Ukrainian. Since their own home was tiny, the Capfs rented a room for Wita, who worked on the farm, and ate her meals with them. Soon, however, the landlord became suspicious and threatened to denounce her to the Gestapo. Fearing for her safety, the Capfs had Wita transferred to Warsaw and sent her money for her upkeep. Another fugitive who found shelter with the Capfs was Bronisława Palek. After a neighbor informed on her, Palek was arrested by the local police and imprisoned. When she managed to escape from prison, the Capfs agreed to take her back, despite the enormous risk involved. In saving Wita and Bronisława, the Capfs were guided by humanitarian motives only, and never considered their personal interests. After the war, the Capfs moved to Lodz, Bronisława Palek immigrated to London, and Wita Kaswiner immigrated to Israel. In 1989, the Capfs’ daughter came to visit Wita in Israel. On January 5, 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Halina Capf and Adolf Capf as Righteous Among the Nations.