Dovbenko Josef & Michalina ; Son: Jan

Dovbenko, Josef Dovbenko, Michalina Dovbenko, Jan Josef and Michalina Dovbenko owned a flourmill in the town of Kałusz in the district of Stanisławów (today Kalush, Ivano-Frankivs’k District). They had seven children, the oldest of whom was 26-year-old Jan. On July 2, 1941, the Germans conquered the town. The local Jews were moved to the area of the ghetto, and despite the prohibition, the Dovbenkos began to supply food to the Jews. In October 1942, when Jews of Kałusz were deported to the Bełżec extermination camp, the Dovbenkos hid the brothers Josef and Leo Dichek in their home for a short time. Two months later, in December 1942, during the final liquidation of the ghetto and the transport of the remaining Jews to Stanisławów, Josef Dichek jumped from the train and fled back to the Dovbenkos’ home. He hid in the fields and forest near their home for the following 19 months, until the liberation. At night, he went to their home where Michalina or Jan gave him food and clothes. Sometimes he even spent a few days in their home or their granary. One night in 1943, Dichek was introduced to Regina Likvornik (later his wife), Salka Licker, and some other Jews at his benefactors’ home. They too had survived the liquidation of the Kałusz ghetto and were supplied with provisions by the Dovbenkos, who took no payment in return. Dovbenko and his family acted out of humanitarian principles and their faith that they would be judged meritorious for helping the persecuted. Kałusz was liberated on July 30, 1944. The Dovbenkos moved to an area within the new borders of Poland and the survivors eventually immigrated to the United States. They maintained their friendship for many years. On October 26, 1989, Yad Vashem recognized Josef and Michalina Dovbenko and their son, Jan Dovbenko, as Righteous Among the Nations.