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

  1. Historical research
    • Review of archives, documents, testimonies, family accounts and local chronicles.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Dissemination of knowledge
    • Stationary and virtual exhibitions (Dom Bez Kantów in Warsaw), touchscreens, statistics, lightboxes – presentation via modern media.
  6. 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

  1. Rules governing the submission of stories
    • Every initiative, submission and application is based on: documents, witness accounts, historical records, consent of the families.
  2. 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.
  3. Preparing an inscription
    • The inscription records full names, dates and circumstances in both Polish and English.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Activities after the ceremony
    • Publication of photographs and materials, sharing them in the internet, educational debates, data archiving.
  7. Monitoring and documentation
    • 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”.

2021
date place The commemorated
25.11 Treblinka Jan Maletka
26.10 Węgrów Leokadia Piątkowska
30.09 Opoka Duża Apolonia Likos
Piotr Likos
02.07 Mikołajki Antoni Kenigsman
25.06 Olesin Bolesław Książek
09.06 Grądy-Woniecko Piotr Kościelecki
28.05 Rzążew Piotr Domański
Franciszek Domański
Antoni Domański
23.03 Biecz Józef Pruchniewicz

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.