Mazurkiewicz Józef & Helena

Mazurkiewicz Helena Mazurkiewicz Józef In 1943, with the liquidation of the town of Mizocz in the Wołyń district, 14-year-old Asia Berez escaped from the slaughter, after her parents were killed. Asia wandered through fields and villages for many days and nights, until she reached the village of Buderaż, in the same district, where Polish friends of her parents lived. The friends welcomed her, gave her food, and allowed her to rest. However, since Asia was known in the village, it was not safe for her to stay with them. The landlady therefore spoke to her sister, who agreed to take in Asia. Asia was transferred to the village of Kołodenka, near Równe, where Helena Mazurkiewicz lived with her husband, Józef, and their four children. Asia was given a warm welcome by the Mazurkiewicz family, who introduced her as an orphaned relative. In time, Asia became friendly with the Mazurkiewicz children, and with the village children of her age. Helena treated her like a daughter and enrolled her at the local school under an assumed name. In risking her life for Asia’s sake, Helena was guided by humanitarian motives only. Asia stayed with the Mazurkiewiczes until her brother found her in 1945 and, in time, the two immigrated to Israel. After the war, the Mazurkiewicz family moved to an area within the new Polish borders. Their ties with Asia were severed for many years, and were renewed only in 1999, following an announcement in a Polish paper. On August 4, 1999, Yad Vashem recognized Helena Mazurkiewicz as Righteous Among the Nations. On April 29, 2001, Yad Vashem recognized Józef Mazurkierwicz as Righteous Among the Nations. File 8540