In the war-torn city of Warsaw during late October 1943, Irena Sendler and her friend Janina Grabowska were momentarily enjoying a rare respite from the chaos surrounding them. However, their brief moment of peace was shattered by the ominous sound of the Gestapo pounding on Sendler’s door. Realizing the imminent danger, Sendler quickly attempted to dispose of incriminating evidence, only to find more police patrolling below. In a desperate act, she handed Janina a glass jar containing the names of over 2,000 Jewish children she had helped smuggle to safety.
Irena Sendler’s arrest was not the first consequence she faced in her relentless battle against anti-Semitism. Born in 1910 to Catholic parents, she grew up in a predominantly Jewish town where her father, a doctor, treated impoverished Jewish patients whom other doctors refused to help. This upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of justice and anger towards the discrimination faced by her Jewish friends.
As a graduate student in social welfare at the University of Warsaw, Sendler publicly opposed the segregation of classrooms and defaced her non-Jewish identity card, actions that led to her suspension and a reputation as a troublemaker. Inspired by her socialist ideals and fellow social workers, she dedicated herself to assisting vulnerable Jewish families across Warsaw, resisting the rising tide of anti-Semitism sweeping through Europe.
In September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, imposing laws that further stripped away Jewish rights. By 1940, Hitler had forced hundreds of thousands of Jews into the cramped confines of the Warsaw Ghetto, a small area bordered by high walls and under constant surveillance. The conditions quickly deteriorated, leaving families starving and sick.
Appalled by the situation, Sendler and her colleagues secured passes to enter the ghetto under the guise of checking for typhus outbreaks. Initially, they smuggled resources into the ghetto with the help of sympathetic Polish officials and the medical underground. However, as desperate parents began sending their children through sewers and over walls, it became clear that survival required escape.
Sendler and her associates launched a coordinated campaign of rescue missions. Children were hidden in dirty laundry, packed into boxes on cargo trains, and smuggled past the Gestapo in coffins, toolboxes, and briefcases. Older children escaped through the courthouse and church, which straddled the ghetto’s boundaries. Sendler helped ferry these children to safe houses, forged new documents for them, and placed them in orphanages, convents, and foster families across Poland.
To preserve their Jewish identities and keep track of each child, Sendler meticulously recorded their details on thin cigarette paper, storing them in glass jars. This work was punishable by death, but for Sendler, the risk was worth it compared to the agony of convincing parents to part with their children, often with no promise of reunion.
In 1942, as the Nazis began deporting Jews from the ghetto to concentration camps, Sendler intensified her efforts by joining forces with the Nazi resistance group, Zegota. This collaboration allowed her to expand her operations, with Zegota stashing money for her in post boxes across Warsaw. However, this system also led to her downfall when the Gestapo coerced a laundry owner into revealing Sendler’s name.
On October 20th, 1943, the Gestapo arrested Sendler for aiding Jews throughout the country. Despite enduring months of torture, she refused to betray any information. Sentenced to execution on January 20th, 1944, her fate took a miraculous turn when a German officer diverted her path. Zegota had bribed the Gestapo with a substantial sum for her release. That night, as announcements of her death echoed through the city, Sendler resumed her work in hiding, continuing to oversee Zegota’s rescue missions until Germany’s defeat in 1945.
After the war, Irena Sendler reconnected with many of the children she had helped escape, maintaining contact with them for the rest of her life. Although the new Polish government attempted to suppress her story, the children she rescued ensured her heroism was recognized. Despite saving countless lives, Sendler remained humble, often expressing regret that she could not do more, saying, “I continue to have qualms of conscience that I did so little.”
Imagine you are Irena Sendler or one of her associates. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life during the rescue missions. Include the challenges you face, your emotions, and your motivations. Share your entry with the class and discuss how these activities might have felt in real life.
Create a map of Warsaw during World War II, highlighting key locations such as the Warsaw Ghetto, safe houses, and routes used for smuggling children. Use historical references to ensure accuracy. Present your map to the class and explain the significance of each location.
Form two groups and debate the moral dilemmas faced by Irena Sendler and the parents who had to decide whether to send their children away. One group will argue the perspective of the parents, and the other will argue from Irena Sendler’s viewpoint. Discuss the complexities and emotions involved in these decisions.
Develop a timeline of Irena Sendler’s life, focusing on key events such as her early life, her work during the war, and her post-war activities. Use images, dates, and brief descriptions. Display your timeline in the classroom and discuss how each event contributed to her legacy.
Research another individual or group who played a significant role in resisting the Nazis or saving lives during the Holocaust. Create a presentation that includes their background, actions, and impact. Present your findings to the class and compare their efforts to those of Irena Sendler.
War – A conflict between different countries or groups, often involving armed forces. – The war changed the borders of many countries and affected millions of lives.
Ghetto – A part of a city where a particular group of people, often minorities, live, usually in poor conditions. – During World War II, many Jewish families were forced to live in ghettos, where they faced harsh living conditions.
Rescue – To save someone from a dangerous situation. – The firefighters worked bravely to rescue the trapped people from the burning building.
Children – Young human beings, typically under the age of 18. – Many children were affected by the war, losing their homes and families.
Justice – The fair treatment of people and the maintenance of what is right. – The court sought justice for the victims of the crime, ensuring that the guilty were punished.
Anti-Semitism – Prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people. – Anti-Semitism led to many tragic events in history, including the Holocaust.
Poland – A country in Central Europe that was heavily impacted during World War II. – Poland was invaded by Germany in 1939, marking the beginning of the war in Europe.
Nazis – A member of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, led by Adolf Hitler, known for its role in World War II and the Holocaust. – The Nazis implemented policies that led to the persecution of millions of people.
Compassion – A feeling of deep sympathy and concern for others, often accompanied by a desire to help. – The compassion shown by those who helped refugees during the war made a significant difference in their lives.
Legacy – Something handed down from the past, such as traditions, achievements, or values. – The legacy of civil rights leaders continues to inspire people to fight for equality today.
