Romanivka, Ukraine… 1942 – When the Germans occupied Tarnopol, Poland (now
Ukraine), in 1941, Bronia Felberbaum and her parents, Sophie and Jacob, were
taken to the ghetto in Velyki Birky. Jacob knew many Christian families in
Velyki Birky and was able to make contact with Helen Balyk. Helen promised to
hide the family on her parents’ farm, provided the Felberbaums were able to get
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11/03/17 by ELRRescuer Vira Vertepna Stochanska
One day the Gestapo officer for whom Bronia’s mother worked as a maid told her
the ghetto would be liquidated that night. He allowed the entire family to spend
the evening at his home. The next day, the Germans burned the ghetto to the
ground, killing everyone inside. Those who tried to escape were shot. Sophie,
Jacob, and Bronia left the officer’s home in the middle of the night.
After hiding for almost two weeks in different barns, Sophie, Jacob, and Bronia
Felberbaum reached the farm of Helen’s parents, Franciska and Josef Balyk. The
Balyk family hid and cared for the Felberbaums. Josef built a hiding place next
to the stable. The Balyks’ daughter, Lucia, and granddaughter, Vira, would bring
food to the family each day. It was not easy for the Balyks to obtain food, but
they never let Bronia and her parents go hungry.
After liberation, Bronia’s family moved back to Tarnopol, which became part of
Ukraine. Immediately after liberation the borders were open, but Jacob refused
to leave the Balyks. They had become family.
Following Jacob’s death in 1958, Bronia and her mother left Ukraine as part of
the repatriation agreement with Poland. In 1960 they came to the United States.
As Bronia wrote to Yad Vashem, “While my parents have died, I am forever
grateful to these kind, noble people, who risked everything they had to take in
three Jewish strangers, when no one else would.” Franciska and Josef Balyk died
years ago. Lucia passed away in July 1998. Vira Vertepna died in February 2015.
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