Father Jan Patrzyk and Barbara Patrzyk
All information below comes from
The Encyclopedia of the Righteous Among the Nations
Rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust: Poland
edited by Sara Bender and Shmuel Krakowski
Copyright © 2004 Yad Vashem
The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority,
Jerusalem, Israel
Reproduced with permission of Yad Vashem


Dr. Meir Eisenberg, a Jewish doctor, and Jan Patrzyk, a priest, had become friends before the war when they both served in Medenice, near Drohobycz, in Eastern Galicia.  During the occupation, Patrzyk was transferred to the village of Lipinki in Gorlice county, Cracow district, and Eisenberg was deported with his family to the Drohobycz ghetto.  In 1942, after losing his wife in an Aktion, Eisenberg decided to try to save at least his 13-year-old daughter, Judit.  He turned to his friend Father Patrzyk and smuggled the girl into his home.  Patrzyk took the Jewish girl under his wing and obtained Aryan papers for her.  She became a part of his family, and his sister, Barbara Patrzyk, cared for her as if she were her own sister.  After the war, when Patrzyk discovered that his friend Meir Eisenberg, the girl's father, had perished, Judit remained under his care and continued her studies in the local high school.  Only after a year, when an aunt of the girl's was found, was she handed over to her, all without ever asking for or receiving anything in return.  Judit eventually immigrated to Israel and, never forgetting the kindness she found in the home of Father Patrzyk and his sister, Barbara, remained in touch with them for many years and sent them parcels to help them out.

On September 4, 1979, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Patrzyk as Righteous Among the Nations.
On September 4, 1991, Yad Vashem recognized Barbara Patrzyk as Righteous Among the Nations.