The 80’s of the 20th century. The Szmurłło family receives a letter from Israel, written by Celina Cederbaum, now Cyla Imry, a girl who was taken care of by the Szmurłło for about 3 years during the Second World War… Only then did Tomasz Szmurłło, Janina and Kazimierz’s son learn about the wartime and what his parents did, risking their own lives. They hid a Jewish girl.
In her letter Cyla explains that after many years of post-German occupation and terror related trauma she has now matured to re-establish the contact. From then on she constantly corresponded with Janina Szmurłło.
 
Before November 1942, when the Staszów ghetto was being liquidated, Miriam Cederbaum hid her daughter Celina at a friendly Polish woman’s abode, Anastazja Kurowiec-Szczerbic. Unfortunately, the girl’s presence was dangerous to the Polish family, it had to be kept secret. Thanks to Home Army (AK) help, the girl had Aryan documents made, her fake identity was Celina Kwiatkowska. At that time, Anastasia requested Janina Szmurłło, her sister for help. Janina lived with her husband in Skarżysko. They both worked in Hasag ammunition plant. The couple decided that they would take care of little Celina. It was the turn of 1942 and 1943 when Celina came to their house. She stayed until the end of the war.

 
Kazimierz Szmurłło wias in conspiracy with NSZ-AK. Celinka officially passed by as a cousin’s daughter, but the conspiracy members probably knew that Szmurłło had a Jewish child hiding in their house. It was dangerous because in the house where Janina and Kazimierz lived, there Germans from the Wehrmacht, under Austrian command. Under the same roof, there was a Polish NSZ-AK officer, a Wehrmacht officer and a Jewish girl …
 
Kazimierz Szmurłło was passionate about photography. To this day, many of his photographs from that period have been preserved. Celina was instructed to cover her face with her hands or stands in the shade. However there are also pictures which show her face, her Semitic features and dark, curly hair. Tomasz Szmurłło has a photo with little Celina. Tomasz was born in 1943 as the first son.  I remember a photo where – my mum and me on the porch, next to Celina, and German soldiers around us … there you can clearly see Celina’s face … – says Tomasz Szmurłło.
An Austrian officer from the Wehrmacht, the one who was stationed with us said to my father: Kazik, she looks like a Jewess and you have to be careful about her. You know what. There will be the police raid to find Jews. You must watch her over – recollects Tomasz Szmurłło.
After the war, Miriam returned for her daughter. Later they both left for Israel.
In 1987, Celina sent her testimony to the Yad Vashem. This was the basis for granting Janina and Kazimierz Szmurłło with the Righteous Among the Nations title.  The Szmurłło raised as a Christian, a child of my relatives, hid me in their home. I owe my life to them – writes Celina, or better to say – Cyla Imra. The title was also awarded to Anastazja Kurowska-Szczerbic, Janina’s sister who initiated the help for the little girl.
Anna Szmurłło recalls: I never talked with my mother-in-law about those events. It was obvious. She just took the child in and took care of her. Tomek’s mother lived the present. During the war she just did her job –  recapitulates Anna.

Marlena Płaska