Maria and Władysław Piwowarczyk and their three children: Wacław, Józef and Janina lived in Łęka, the Nowy Korczyn municipality.  Władysław’s brother Józef, had many Jewish friens, he even worked in Lodz with his school-time friend Izrael Wajnbaum. When the war broke out, they returned to Nowy Korczyn – their  decision was influenced by the legend according to which those who hide between two rivers had the chance to survive…

Józef Piwowarczyk persuaded his brother Władysław to support the secret campaign to help Jews. A number of Polish families were involved, including:  Leśniak, Piwowarczyk, Wojtaszek families as well as Józef Śliwa and Władysław and Bronisław Woźniak.  Some of them, e.g. Józef Piwowarczyk and Woźniak belonged to the Communist Party before the war. So did some of the Jews in the hiding.  The Poles made several bunkers for the Jews where more than a dozen people were hiding.  Israel Wajnbaum recalls that there were the two bunkers in Senisławice which became the hideaway for Lejzer, Zwata, Szajndla and Moszek Wrarz, Chaim and Moszek Stern brothers, Szymon Wajnbaum with his wife Mania and his sisters Hennia and Ewa.  Józef Piwowarczyk also stayed with them.  Unfortunately, 30 January 1944 was marked with a tragedy –  Someone revealed where the bunkers in Senisławice were.  Some of the people hidden in the bunkers lost their lives. Others committed suicide in order not to reveal the names of those, who helped the Jews.

Israel and Leah Wajnbaum (Wine) with their son Adaś (Albert Wine) were hidden in Maria and Władysław Piwowarczyk’s, they all survived the war.  The Jews moved from one place to another –  the two bunkers were made for them in the Maria and Władysław’s field.  The third shelter was made under the barn.  From 1942 to the end of the war, the Jews spent most of the time in one of the bunkers located in the field, outside the farm buildings. This was owing to  the security reasons.  Maria and Władysław would bring food for those in the hiding. Their children also helpred.  The eldest son Wacław used to ride a horse in the winter in order to erase the traces and not to reveal the path which lead to the shelter.  The younger children were responsible for observing the surroundings. They also had to find out what is happening in the village.  There were frequent moments of horror, for example when German called in.  It was on a severe winter day. Adash, the son of the couple in the hiding  came to the house to warm up. He was eating a meal prepared by Maria Piwowarczyk. Then came the Germans. the Germans were looking for the father of the family, Władysław Piwowarczyk.  My grandmother hid the boy under her skirt – Marian Misiaszek recalls – if he had just made a little or he spoke … we would have been in dire straits – he adds.

After the war, the Wajnbaum family which had been hidden left for Australia. They stayed in touch with the Piwowarczyks.  Izrael Wajnbaum visited Łęka and Nowy Korczyn three times.  His children and grandchildren were also in Poland.

Maria and Władysław Piwowarczyk and their children: Wacław, Józef and Janina were awarded the “Righteous Among the Nations” medal in 2002.

Marlena Płaska