She learned of the rumors first.

 


She learned of the rumors first. The Nazis were arriving at the Tarnów ghetto. Not someday. Not tomorrow. Now. Cesia Honig understood what that meant. Run or die. There was no other option.

She encountered Franciszek Mikowski, a Pole from the area who was not very sympathetic to Jews. Money was the beginning. She would hide for a week and be given her family's diamond ring. It was a bitter bargain. But when the week was up Franciszek did not tell her to leave. He told her she could stay. He admitted that he was prejudiced but something grew inside of him. His conscience was strong. Cesia was no longer a mere Jew. She was a daughter to him.

So the hiding started. For years they stayed in a small apartment and every knock at the door felt like death. The family risked everything. Helping her could mean execution if they were caught. But they did it anyway. They chose to fight back instead of being afraid. Cesia survived. She eventually made it to the United States.

In 2014 Yad Vashem made Franciszek and his wife Righteous Among the Nations. Not saints. Just imperfect human beings who would not surrender to evil.

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