Called by Name - Instytut Pileckiego
Why did they help? The families of those called by name answer:
"They loved people: they didn't refuse the Jews who asked for help"
therefore we have to know
to count exactly
call by the first name
provide for a journey
Zbigniew Herbert (transl. Bogdana and John Carpenter)
“Called by Name”
A program commemorating citizens of the Second Polish Republic who were murdered for helping persons of Jewish nationality during the Second World War
The “Called by Name” is a program implemented by the Pilecki Institute to reinstate the memory of citizens of the Second Polish Republic – both Poles and representatives of other national and ethnic groups – who were murdered by the Germans for providing aid to Jews during the Holocaust.
During the German occupation, every form of assistance to the Jewish community – providing shelter, food or a warning about a manhunt – was punishable by death. Those who decided to help were often murdered alongside their whole families and the people they had sought to rescue.
The “Called by Name” program combines historical research, educational activities and public commemorations. The ceremonies are held at locations where the tragic events took place, mostly in small towns and villages. The conclusion of each commemoration is the unveiling of a plaque affixed to stone and bearing an inscription in both Polish and English. The plaque features the names of both the rescuers and the rescued – provided that their identity could be established – thus restoring their stories to their rightful place in our collective memory.
Initiated in 2019, the program has commemorated dozens of people whose sacrifice had remained forgotten for decades. The primary objective is to honor the courage and humanity of the victims and to reinstate their stories in the local communities. It is equally important, however, to foster awareness about the realities of the occupation in Poland, where an act of solidarity could cost a life.
The “Called by name” program is a joint initiative of the families, witnesses to history, researchers, local communities and all people who wish to preserve the memory of the individuals who chose to do good in the times of radical evil.
1. Objectives of the “Called by Name” program
- Commemoration of citizens of the Second Polish Republic – both Poles and representatives of other national and ethnic groups – who were murdered for providing aid to Jews during the Second World War.
- Preserving the memory of local and family histories and reinstating them in the collective consciousness.
- Historical education and reflection on the significance of courage, solidarity and humanity in the face of totalitarianisms.
2. Scope of activities and stages of the program
- Historical research
- Review of archives, documents, testimonies, family accounts and local chronicles.
- Education and local support
- Workshops, school lessons and meetings with local communities – the aim is to foster understanding and instill the memory of these events.
- Contact with the families and descendants of the rescuers and the rescued
- Dialogue with the families of the murdered and the rescued, integration of these communities.
- The unveiling ceremony
- Key element of the program – unveiling of a stone with a plaque bearing the names of the rescuers and the rescued in both Polish and English.
- Dissemination of knowledge
- Stationary and virtual exhibitions (Dom Bez Kantów in Warsaw), touchscreens, statistics, lightboxes – presentation via modern media.
- Promotion in the media and raising social awareness
- Information campaign, presence in the press and local television (e.g. TVN, Polish Press Agency), promoting the concept of individual memory.
4. Program implementation
- Rules governing the submission of stories
- Every initiative, submission and application is based on: documents, witness accounts, historical records, consent of the families.
- Verification process
- Review by the team of the Pilecki Institute, consultation with local researchers, confirmation of the identity of the victims and the persons they had sought to rescue.
- Preparing an inscription
- The inscription records full names, dates and circumstances in both Polish and English.
- Choice of location
- The commemoration never takes place far from the site of the tragic events – it is often in the center of the village, on church premises, or by local roads.
- Organization of the ceremony
- Cooperation with the local authorities, local government, parishes, the Chief Rabbi of Poland, school communities.
- The ceremony: a mass and a Jewish prayer, speeches (including by the families), unveiling of the plaques.
- Activities after the ceremony
- Publication of photographs and materials, sharing them in the internet, educational debates, data archiving.
- Monitoring and documentation
- A register of all commemorations and statistical data (number of people, stones, locations).
- A register of all commemorations and statistical data (number of people, stones, locations).
5. Values and message
- Remembering the courage of individuals – a testimony to humanity in the face of totalitarianism.
- Educating the younger generation – a lesson in responsibility, solidarity and mutual support.
- A model of individual memory – reinforcing local identity, forging bonds between Poles and Jews.
- A universal appeal: “Never again” – especially in the context of modern conflicts and migrations.
Summary
The “Called by Name” program is a coherent and multi-faceted initiative combining thorough historical research, honoring the victims, community commemorations, education and intercultural dialogue. Each and every unveiled plaque is a reminder that in times of terror, solidarity had a name – and that those who paid for it deserve to be “called by the name”.
Commemoration sites
The commemorated
- Ignacy Ambroziak
commemorated
Ignacy Ambroziak
(1896–1943)Ignacy Ambroziak was murdered for helping Jews during a show execution organized by the Germans in the Złotopolice forest on November 21, 1943.
- Franciszek Andrzejczyk
commemorated
Franciszek Andrzejczyk
(~1891–1943)Franciszek Andrzejczyk was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 27 October 2019 in Czyżew-Sutki.
- Franciszek Antczak
commemorated
Franciszek Antczak
(~1901–1945)Franciszek Antczak was sent to KL Stutthof – Aussenlager Poelitz for helping Jews. He never returned.
- Franciszek Augustyniak
commemorated
Franciszek Augustyniak
(~1914–1943)Franciszek Augustyniak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Marianna Banaszek
commemorated
Marianna Banaszek
(~1893–1943)Marianna Banaszek was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 15 September 2020 in Marki.
- Władysław Banaszek
commemorated
Władysław Banaszek
(~1923–1943)Władysław Banaszek was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 15 September 2020 in Marki.
- Stanisława Banaszek
commemorated
Stanisława Banaszek
(~1926–1943)Stanisława Banaszek was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 15 September 2020 in Marki.
- Wacław Budziszewski
commemorated
Wacław Budziszewski
(1925–1943)Wacław Budziszewski was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 22 September 2019 in Nur.
- Jadwiga Długoborska
commemorated
Jadwiga Długoborska
(1899–1944)Jadwiga Długoborska was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 June 2019 in Ostrów Mazowiecka.
- Józefa Dmoch
commemorated
Józefa Dmoch
(1898–1943)Commemorated on 14 June 2022 in Poświętne
- Józef Dmoch
commemorated
Józef Dmoch
(1896–1943)Commemorated on 14 June 2022 in Poświętne
- Piotr Domański
commemorated
Piotr Domański
(~1867–1943)Piotr Domański was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 28 May 2021 in Rzążew.
- Franciszek Domański
commemorated
Franciszek Domański
(~1906–1943)Franciszek Domański was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 28 May 2021 in Rzążew.
- Antoni Domański
commemorated
Antoni Domański
(~1912–1943)Antoni Domański was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 28 May 2021 in Rzążew.
- Zygmunt Drgas
commemorated
Zygmunt Drgas
(1920–1943)Zygmunt Drgas was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Apolonia Gacoń
commemorated
Apolonia Gacoń
(1900–1943)Commemorated on 22 June 2022 in Brzostek
- Stanisław Gacoń
commemorated
Stanisław Gacoń
(1902–1943)Commemorated on 22 June 2022 in Brzostek
- Jan Gniduła
commemorated
Jan Gniduła
(1872–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Katarzyna Grochowicz
commemorated
Katarzyna Grochowicz
Katarzyna Grochowicz was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Jan Jantoń
commemorated
Jan Jantoń
(1911–1942)Commemorated on 22 June 2022 in Brzostek
- Karolina Juszczykowska
commemorated
Karolina Juszczykowska
(1898–1945)Karolina Juszczykowska was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 22 September 2020 in Tomaszów Mazowiecki.
- Katarzyna Kazak
commemorated
Katarzyna Kazak
(1877–1943)Commemorated on 24 March 2022 in Brzóza Królewska.
- Sebastian Kazak
commemorated
Sebastian Kazak
(~1870–1943)Commemorated on 24 March 2022 in Brzóza Królewska.
- Antoni Kenigsman
commemorated
Antoni Kenigsman
Antoni Kenigsman was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 2 July 2021 in Mikołajki.
- Franciszek Kierylak
commemorated
Franciszek Kierylak
(~1884–1943)Franciszek Kierylak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Piotr Kościelecki
commemorated
Piotr Kościelecki
(~1882–1943)Piotr Kościelecki was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 9 June 2021 in Grądy-Woniecko.
- Ewa Kotowska
commemorated
Ewa Kotowska
(~1889–1943)Ewa Kotowska was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Stanisław Kotowski
commemorated
Stanisław Kotowski
(1918–1943)Stanisław Kotowski was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Józef Kotowski
commemorated
Józef Kotowski
(~1887–1943)Józef Kotowski was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Katarzyna Kowal
commemorated
Katarzyna Kowal
(1897–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Józef Kowal
commemorated
Józef Kowal
(1926–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Anna Kowalska
commemorated
Anna Kowalska
(~1922–1942)Commemorated on June 21, 2023 for her steadfast attitude, which probably saved the lives of three Polish women who helped her.
- Jan Kowalski
commemorated
Jan Kowalski
(1906–1943)Commemorated on 14 June 2022 in Poświętne
- Zofia Krasuska
commemorated
Zofia Krasuska
(~1908–1943)Zofia Krasuska was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 19 June 2020 in Tworki.
- Feliks Bogusław Krasuski
commemorated
Feliks Bogusław Krasuski
(~1937–1943)Feliks Bogusław was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 19 June 2020 in Tworki.
- Władysława Krysiewicz
commemorated
Władysława Krysiewicz
(~1907–1943)Władysława Krysiewicz was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 6 October 2019 in Waniewo.
- Stanisław Krysiewicz
commemorated
Stanisław Krysiewicz
(~1908–1943)Stanisław Krysiewicz was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 6 October 2019 in Waniewo.
- Bolesław Książek
commemorated
Bolesław Książek
(1899–1943)Bolesław Książek was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 25 June 2021 in Olesin.
- Zofia Kur
commemorated
Zofia Kur
(1900–1943)In June 1943, three Jews came to the farm of Zofia Kur. They escaped from one of the labor camps in Minsk Mazowiecki. They asked for shelter. Their names were: Leyzor Matuszewski, Berek Szafir and a unknown man
- Aleksander Kur
commemorated
Aleksander Kur
(1925–1943)In June 1943, three Jews came to the farm of Zofia Kur, Aleksander's mother. They escaped from one of the labor camps in Mińsk Mazowiecki. They asked for shelter. Their names were: Leyzor Matuszewski, Berek Szafir and a unknown man
- Franciszek Kusiak
commemorated
Franciszek Kusiak
(~1937–1943)Franciszek Kusiak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Roman Kusiak (?–1943)
commemorated
Roman Kusiak (?–1943)
Roman Kusiak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Anastazja Kusiak (?–1943)
commemorated
Anastazja Kusiak (?–1943)
Anastazja Kusiak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Piotr Leszczyński
commemorated
Piotr Leszczyński
(~1891–1943)Piotr Leszczyński was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 9 June 2019 in Poręba-Kocęby.
- Apolonia Likos
commemorated
Apolonia Likos
(1904–1943)Apolonia Likos was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 September 2021 in Opoka Duża.
- Piotr Likos
commemorated
Piotr Likos
(1900–1943)Piotr Likos was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 September 2021 in Opoka Duża.
- Marianna Lubkiewicz
commemorated
Marianna Lubkiewicz
(1899–1943)Marianna Lubkiewicz was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 24 March 2019 in Sadowne.
- Stefan Lubkiewicz
commemorated
Stefan Lubkiewicz
(1919–1943)Stefan Lubkiewicz was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 24 March 2019 in Sadowne.
- Leon Lubkiewicz
commemorated
Leon Lubkiewicz
(1884–1943)Leon Lubkiewicz was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 24 March 2019 in Sadowne.
- Marianna Łubiarz
commemorated
Marianna Łubiarz
(1866–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Anastazja Łubiarz
commemorated
Anastazja Łubiarz
(1899–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Jan Maletka
commemorated
Jan Maletka
(~1921–1942)The Pilecki Institute commemorated Jan Maletka on 25 November 2021 in the village of Treblinka.
- Katarzyna Margol
commemorated
Katarzyna Margol
(1897–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Władysław Muchowski
commemorated
Władysław Muchowski
(1892–1943)Władysław Muchowski was murdered for helping Jews during a show execution organized by the Germans in the Złotopolice forest on November 21, 1943.
- Aniela Nizioł
commemorated
Aniela Nizioł
(1889–1942)Aniela Nizioł, who was murdered for aiding Jews during the German occupation, was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 3 December 2023 in Łańcut, as part of the “Called by Name” program.
- Marian Nowicki
commemorated
Marian Nowicki
(~1914–1943)Marian Nowicki was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Leokadia Piątkowska
commemorated
Leokadia Piątkowska
(1883–1944)Leokadia Piątkowska was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 26 October 2021 in Węgrów.
- Stanisław Piwko
commemorated
Stanisław Piwko
(~1913–1943)Stanisław Piwko was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Julianna Postek
commemorated
Julianna Postek
(1891–1943)Julianna Postek was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 June 2019 in Stoczek.
- Stanisław Postek
commemorated
Stanisław Postek
(~1883–1944)Stanisław Postek was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 June 2019 in Stoczek.
- Wacław Postek (?–?)
commemorated
Wacław Postek (?–?)
Wacław Postek was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 June 2019 in Stoczek.
- Henryk Postek (?–?)
commemorated
Henryk Postek (?–?)
Henryk Postek was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 30 June 2019 in Stoczek.
- Józef Pruchniewicz
commemorated
Józef Pruchniewicz
(1887–1944)Józef Pruchniewicz was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 23 March 2021 in Biecz.
- Antoni Prusiński
commemorated
Antoni Prusiński
(~1910–1943)Antoni Prusiński was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 9 June 2019 in Poręba-Kocęby.
- Kazimierz Przekora
commemorated
Kazimierz Przekora
(1900–1943)Commemorated on 26 April 2022 in Huta Mińska
- Lucyna Radziejowska
commemorated
Lucyna Radziejowska
(1899–1944)Lucyna Radziejowska was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 June 2019 in Ostrów Mazowiecka.
- Katarzyna Rybak (?–1943)
commemorated
Katarzyna Rybak (?–1943)
Katarzyna Rybak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Marianna Siniarska
commemorated
Marianna Siniarska
(1901–1944)Marianna Siniarska was commemorated on March 10, 2024 in Lutkówka, together with her husband and children.
- Irena Siniarska
commemorated
Irena Siniarska
(1935–1944)Irena Siniarska was commemorated with her parents and siblings on March 10, 2024 in Lutkówka.
- Stanisław Siniarski
commemorated
Stanisław Siniarski
(1899–1944)Stanisław Siniarski was commemorated on March 10, 2024 in Lutkówka, together with his wife and children.
- Marian Siniarski
commemorated
Marian Siniarski
(1928–1944)Marian Siniarski was commemorated with his parents and siblings on March 10, 2024 in Lutkówka.
- Edward Siniarski
commemorated
Edward Siniarski
(1936–1944)Edward Siniarski was commemorated with his parents and siblings on March 10, 2024 in Lutkówka.
- Jan Siwiński
commemorated
Jan Siwiński
(~1887–1943)Jan Siwiński was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Aleksandra Skłodowska
commemorated
Aleksandra Skłodowska
(1862–1944)Aleksandra Skłodowska was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 16 June 2019 in Skłody-Piotrowice.
- Hieronim Skłodowski
commemorated
Hieronim Skłodowski
(1905–1944)Hieronim Skłodowski was commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 16 June 2019 in Skłody-Piotrowice.
- Józef Sowa
commemorated
Józef Sowa
(1902–1943)Józef Sowa was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 16 June 2020 in Wierzchowisko.
- Franciszka Sowa
commemorated
Franciszka Sowa
(1907–1943)Franciszka Sowa was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 16 June 2020 in Wierzchowisko.
- Michał Stasiuk
commemorated
Michał Stasiuk
(1890–1944)On 29 November 2022 in Rzeszów, the Pilecki Institute commemorated Michał Stasiuk, who was murdered by the German functionaries for helping several dozen Jews who were hiding under the Rzeszów market square.
- Marianna Stradowska
commemorated
Marianna Stradowska
(1900–1943)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 15 September 2022 in Chmielnik.
- Wacław Stradowski
commemorated
Wacław Stradowski
(1921–1943)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 15 September 2022 in Chmielnik.
- Józef Suchecki
commemorated
Józef Suchecki
(1894–1943) - Kazimierz Szabat
commemorated
Kazimierz Szabat
(1902–1942)Commemorated by the Pilecki Institute on 29 September 2022 in Majdan Nowy.
- Kazimierz Szkop
commemorated
Kazimierz Szkop
(1917–1944)On 26 September 1944, Kazimierz Szkop was guillotined after being sentenced by a German court in Königsberg for helping and hiding two Jews on his mother’s farm.
- Stanisława Trzcińska
commemorated
Stanisława Trzcińska
(1888–1943)Stanisława Trzcińska was murdered in Stutthof 5th of december 1943.
- Stefan Trzciński
commemorated
Stefan Trzciński
(1921–1943)Stefan Trzciński was murdered for helping Jews during a show execution organized by the Germans in the Złotopolice forest on November 21, 1943.
- Józef, Wiktoria, Antoni, Władysław, Barbara, Franciszek, Maria, Stanisława, nienarodzone dziecko (unborn baby) Ulma
commemorated
Józef, Wiktoria, Antoni, Władysław, Barbara, Franciszek, Maria, Stanisława, nienarodzone dziecko (unborn baby) Ulma
The death of 16 people, including 7 children, came as a shock to the local community. Over the years, the story of the Ulma family became not only part of the local memory, but also a symbol of the death for helping Jews.
- Zygmunt Uziębło
commemorated
Zygmunt Uziębło
(~1924–1943)Zygmunt Uziębło was commemorated on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Aleksandra Wiktorzak
commemorated
Aleksandra Wiktorzak
(~1883–1943)Aleksandra Wiktorzak was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 4 June 2020 in Sterdyń.
- Jan Wolski
commemorated
Jan Wolski
(1905–1943) - Jan Zaręba (?–1943)
commemorated
Jan Zaręba (?–1943)
Jan Zaręba was commemorated by Pilecki Institute on 8 October 2020 in Stary Lipowiec.
- Mieczysław Żemojtel
commemorated
Mieczysław Żemojtel
(1898–1943)Mieczysław Żemojtel was murdered for helping a Jewish woman, Anna Kowalska, whom he and his brother took into their home.
