A stamp honoring Poles who saved Jews
On Wednesday, March 24th, Poczta Polska will introduce a postage stamp from the "Poles Saving Jews" issue. The stamp will reach customers and philatelists on a special day – the National Day of Remembrance of Poles Saving Jews under German Occupation.
The project's creator, Jan Konarzewski, featured a photograph of a monument by Monika Kupiec in Popardowa (Nawojowa commune) commemorating the events of March 1944. It depicts the outlines of four Poles (from left: Agnieszka Rumin, Jan Rumin, Jakub Tokarz, and Ludwik Borek) shielding six Jews (from left: Ruchla Neugrӧschel, Aba Schreibel, Blumka Schreiber, Gitla Neugrӧschel, Chaim Neugrӧschel, and Mojżesz Kaufer). In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a limited edition First Day of Circulation (FDC) envelope. It features an image of an information board commemorating Polish and Jewish citizens, residents of the Nawojowa and Kamionka Wielka communes, murdered by the Germans.
" With March 24th being the National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Saved Jews under German Occupation, Poczta Polska has decided to issue a stamp commemorating all those who, through their heroism and selfless desire to help others, contributed to the salvation of members of the Jewish community. Poles who saved Jews were, are, and should be role models and symbols of humanity for each of us, " says Tomasz Zdzikot, President of Poczta Polska.
Agnieszka Rumin from Popardowa hid six Jews during the occupation, for which she, along with her eldest son, Jan, was shot by the Germans in 1944. The same fate befell Ludwik Borek from Mystków, who had previously sheltered members of the Jewish community, as well as Jakub Tokarz from Ptaszkowa. All the Jews in hiding were also murdered. The events of those days have become a permanent part of the tragic wartime history of Małopolska, as evidenced by the monument erected in Popardowa last year.
" The latest philatelic issue by Poczta Polska recalls the heroism and courage of our compatriots who risked their lives to help Jews during World War II. In German-occupied Poland at that time, helping people of Jewish origin was punishable by death – not only the helpers, but entire families. And only in Poland, on such a large scale, despite such grave danger, did Poles save their neighbors, friends, and acquaintances – people of Jewish origin. No one knows exactly how many of them died. The example of the residents of the Nawojowa and Kamionka Wielka Communes reminds us of the true nature of patriotism – true love of neighbor and a heroic testimony of fidelity to principles. Poles saved people of Jewish origin because it was the right thing to do, because honor and morality demanded it of them. By paying tribute to such heroes, Poczta Polska also awakens the memory of our moral duty to one's neighbor, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
" Commemorating the Polish and Jewish victims of German crimes, including the victims of the Holocaust, building monuments, and maintaining the dignified appearance of the burial sites of those murdered, is one of the main areas of activity of the Institute of National Remembrance. The Institute sees this as a duty to the memory of the victims of totalitarian violence. For years, we have also fulfilled this duty in cooperation with the Polish Post, resulting in the issuance of stamps, " says Dr. Mateusz Szpytma, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance.
In 2018, the Polish Post introduced the first stamp in a series honoring Poles who saved Jews. The stamp recalled the story of the Ulma family, who sheltered eight Jews during the occupation. That same year, the company also issued a postcard commemorating Sister Matylda Getter. In 2019, the next issue of the series reached customers and philatelists. It featured Edward Raczyński, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Polish Government in Exile, whose note was the first official report on the Holocaust informing Western public opinion about the crimes. It was also the first official statement by a government in defense of all Jews persecuted by Nazi Germany—not just citizens of their own country.
About the stamp:
Author of the stamp design: Jacek Konarzewski
Author of the envelope and FDC date stamp design: Jan Konarzewski
Number of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 3.30
Circulation: 100,000 pcs.
Printing technique: rotogravure
Stamp format: 39.5 mm x 31.25 mm
Paper: fluorescent
Sales sheet: 50 stamps
Date of introduction into circulation: March 24, 2021
This and other philatelic publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl