Irena Sendler: Risking Her Life to Save Others

Irena Sendler in Warsaw after the Holocaust (circa 1949). —Janina Zgrzembska Collection/East News

During World War II, Polish social worker Irena Sendler leveraged her vast network to smuggle food, medicine, and supplies into the Warsaw ghetto in German-occupied Poland — and smuggle Jewish children out. She relied on unconventional and dangerous methods to thwart the Nazis, including orchestrating the escape of infant Elżbieta Kopel (later Ficowska) in a small wooden box. Nothing stopped Irena. She remained determined to save Jewish lives even after she was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to death. Watch this digital program in honor ofIrena Sendler’s life and legacy.

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