Rak Agnieszka ; Son: Stefan ; Daughter: Błaszczyk Helena (Rak)

Rak Agnieszka Rak Stefan Błaszczyk-Rak Helena Even before the war, Stefan Rak from the town of Częstochowa was known for his Socialist worldview. Among Stefan’s many Jewish friends were Salomon Markowicz, a work colleague, his wife, Rozalia, Hela Parnes, and her brother. During the occupation period, when his Jewish friends were interned in the ghettos and forced labor camps, Stefan kept up contact with them, and they knew that they could count on him in times of trouble. In June 1943, after the liquidation of the Częstochowa ghetto, the Markowiczes, Hela Parnes, and her brother fled to the Raks asking for refuge. With the consent of his mother, Agnieszka, and sister, Helena, Stefan hid the refugees in a hiding place in their house, for one-and-a-half years. The refugees, fearing discovery, never left the house, while the Raks catered to all their needs. One day, members of the Gestapo raided their apartment, and although they failed to discover the refugees, they arrested Stefan and his sister who, despite being tortured, did not betray their charges. Meanwhile, the mother, who had not been arrested, kept their spirits up, and prayed for their safety. After the liberation, Stefan was killed by local nationalists for having sheltered Jews in his home during the occupation. In risking their lives for their Jewish friends, the Raks were guided by a humanitarian worldview, and never expected anything in return. After the war, Parnes immigrated to Israel while the Markowiczes later immigrated to Denmark. On February 24, 1988, Yad Vashem recognized Stefan Rak, his mother, Agnieszka Rak and his sister, Helena Błaszczyk (née Rak) as Righteous Among the Nations. File 3801