The search for Zofia and Jan Zawadzki started in April 2010, when the Yad Vashem Institute awarded them the title of the Righteous Among the Nations. The Embassy of Israel appeals for help. The only thing that is certain is that during the Nazi occupation the Zawadzkis saved Regina Wajberg, who – after the Second World War – emigrated to Israel. At present she uses the name Abramson. She is seriously ill, does not remember her youth and lives in an old people’s home. In the past she has managed to hand her account over to Yad Vashem. The account was found in 2009 by historians of the Institute.

In 1939 Zofia and Jan Zawadzki were about 50 years old. The then 11-year-old Regina Wajberg spent the summer in her aunt’s house in Sawino. At the outbreak of the Second World War her family decided that she would return to her mother Pola, who was living in Piaski, on Zamojska Street. Regina had two sisters: Malka and Miriam. The girl was supposed to be taken home by one of the local farmers, Jan Zawadzki. However, it turned out that it is impossible. The Zawadzkis gave shelter to the girl. They took care of her, and when the situation became too dangerous, they moved her to a hiding place in their basement.

Sources concerning this story are extremely limited. There is even no certainty on the question of where the Zawadzkis lived. Research in the local registers and in the register of death in Sawino did not give any results. On the local cemetery a gravestone was found with the surname of the Righteous, but it turned out that a man from Chełm was burried there. Old people from Sawino do not know or remember anything. The only thing that is sure is that the couple had a relative in Lublin. His name was Władysław.

It remains unknown where did Zofia and Jan Zawadzki live. No one knows if they had children. No one knows where to look for their relatives. There is no information concerning their birthplace, profession and history after the war. It has only been confirmed that during Nazi occupation they saved Regina Wajberg who – after coming to Israel – submitted her account to Yad Vashem. In 2010 Zofia and Jan Zawadzki were honored with the title of the Righteous Among the Nations – the highest civil distinction in Israel.

If anyone knows the story of Zofia and Jan Zawadzki or could help find their relatives, please write to the following addresses: education@warsaw.mfa.gov.il, redakcja@lublin.agora.pl or to the project “Polish Righteous – Recalling Forgotten History” (sprawiedliwi@jewishmuseum.org.pl).