Film Collection
Excerpts from an interview with Bohdan Kaczorowski
Transkrypcja
When the World War II broke out Regina alias Sophie Szrajer nee Lejzerowicz, Krysia’s mother, brought Krysia to a village near Otwock. She left her there in the care of a local farming family, as she was afraid to keep her with her in her hiding place. It was more difficult to find a hiding place where the child could be with her. So as long as she had money, she paid to these scum [the farmers]. About a year and a half later, I think it was spring ’42, Mrs. Regina Szrajer, Krysia’s mother, ran out of money so she returned to the village and found her child dirty, neglected, covered with lice and wearing torn clothes. The farmers began to threaten her that if she didn’t bring more money for them they would ask the Germans to “look after the child”. Mrs. Szrajer took Krysia away and contacted my mother’s sister, Maria Salmonowicz. [...] My aunt who lived here, on the corner of Jasna and Kredytowa streets, took Krysia in. At first, she was here with her for 2 or 3 days and then they came to our place in Piastów. My mother said to me “well, listen, taking this girl is very risky, because she is Jewish and our whole family might be executed for that.” And I said “Mum, whatever happens, let Krysia stay with us” and so it was decided. [...] She wasn’t really hiding, she used to take a dog and strolled in streets with the dog. And it didn't come into the Nazis’ mind that a child walking a dog in broad daylight could be Jewish. I only said to Krysia: “Remember, if you are asked about your Daddy and where your Mummy is, just say that your parents were sent to a labour camp to Germany, and my Mother is your Aunt, my Dad, Wacek, is your Uncle and I am your brother” – and it's like that till today, I’m still her brother…