Marciszczuk Jan & Anna (Stępkowska); Son: Piotr

Files 2785, 2786, 2787, 2788 Jaśkiewicz, Stanisław Jaśkiewicz, Jan Jaśkiewicz, Maria Bednarczyk, Mr. Miniewski, Jan Miniewski, Stefan Marciszczuk, Jan Marciszczuk, Anna Marciszczuk, Piotr In the spring of 1943, a number of Jews from Szczurowice, in the Tarnopol district, escaped from a convoy of Jews being deported by the Germans. After hiding in the nearby Brody ghetto, the fugitives approached various farmers they knew, asking for help. Some of the farmers agreed to shelter them while others helped dig bunkers for them in the forest. Among the farmers were Jaśkiewicz Jan and Maria who, at the urging of their 17-year-old son, Stanisław put up two of the refugees, Fisch Fishel and Friedman Izak, on a temporary basis. After Jan and Stanisław built the refugees a bunker in the nearby forest, 50 meters away from their home, they brought the refugees to the forest. Thanks to a warning of Mr. Bednarczyk (the local forester), of an impending raid, the two refugees left their hiding place. Friedman decided to strike out on his own, while Bednarczyk found Fisch another bunker built by Stefan Miniewski and his son, Jan, for Parnes Issak and Szterling Issak, who were already hiding there. However, the refugees had to leave this hiding place, too, for fear of betrayal by Ukrainian collaborators. This time they turned to the Marciszczuks, owners of a flourmill, who were already sheltering a Jewish refugee named Klara Hart and her six-year old son. The Marciszczuks and their son, Piotr, looked after all the refugees, and protected them, even after their home and property were burned down. Fisch, who was subsequently discovered by Ukrainians, fled to the forest where Bednarczyk, the forester, again came to the rescue and dug a bunker for him to hide in. Bednarczyk also arranged for Jakob Potasz, another charge of his, to share the bunker with Fisch, so that he would feel less lonely. All the farmers who participated in the rescue operation were devoutCatholics who considered it their duty to help their friends, despite the danger and economic hardships involved. On the 5th of January 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Jaśkiewicz Maria, her husband Jan and their son, Stanisław; the forester Mr. Bednarczyk; Miniewski Stefan and his son, Jan; Marciszczuk Jan, his wife Anna and their son, Piotr; as Righteous Among the Nations.