summary

Today Janina and Maria live like sisters. They meet daily and help each other out2. Both lives alone and are not affluent. Maria’s parents were members of the Polish anti-Nazi activists. They sheltered Janina and her mother. Janina’s mother died of tuberculosis. She was baptized to become part of the family to avoid being detected and killed by the Nazis. Furthermore, she gave up the chance to live with an uncle in the United States. During the War, the girls had to fend for themselves as Maria's father was sick and her mother was demonstrating against the Nazis. Maria was like a mother to the Janina when she lost her parents. Her only sibling survived the war but later committed suicide. After the war, both suffered from cancer. Janina is separated from her husband while Maria is a widow. Janina contacted the museum in Jerusalem to recognise Maria and her parents for saving her during WWI. The cash reward improved Maria’s financial situation.
(156 words)