Rescuers of Jews
From Moshe Rosenblum‘s Memoirs The Story of my Family Rescue during the German Occupation
When in late 1943, my parents learned about the Children Action of 5 November in the Šiauliai Ghetto, they decided that I should not stay in the ghetto any longer. Agronomist Antanas Midvigis, whom my mother met under the circumstances unknown to me, agreed to help. He took my mother and myself to Vincas Vobolevičius who owned a grange in Saliai village near Vandžiogala. I still see that view: the night, dark streets of Kaunas, me in a harnessed carriage. I think that before we reached Saliai we’ve stopped at the place of the Zubovas-Čiurlionis family. It had happened before that my father or my mother would stop at their place for a while when leaving ghetto. The Zubovas family could not hide us at their place for any longer period: German raids in the town centre were the routine practice.
During the war, Sofija Čiurlionienė, Danutė Zubovienė and Vladimiras (Vladys) Zubovas have saved many Jews. All the three of them were awarded the Yad Vashem Medal of the Righteous Among the Nations. They are also in our hearts.
…My parents stayed in the ghetto until 29 March 1944. It was very difficult to escape at this time but they found the solution: they joined a brigade of Jewish workers taken in a boat over the River Neris. They spent one day at the place of the Zubovas family and then reached the Vobolevičius’ grange where a hiding place had been built for them. My grandparents Kenigsbergas, most probably, have moved there before – Germans conducted the Children Action in the ghetto exterminating all the children, as well as elder people just a day before my parents’ escape. Helia Vobolevičienė and Vincas Vobolevičius were taking care of my family for four months until the Red Army came. There is no need of explanation how much peace these noble people have lost and what they’ve risked, seeking no benefit for themselves whatsoever.
After the war my parents kept warm, heartfelt and truly close relations with their saviours until the very last days. Neither my parents nor these people are alive. They left children. Vincas Vobolevičius and Helia Vobolevičienė had two sons, Bogdanas and Jonušas, the Lukoševičius couple had three daughters, Alina, Tenia and Nelė. These are the people who saved us from the terrible fate of almost all Lithuanian Jews. I also have a family, two sons and granddaughters. They are saved too.
From the 4th book Hands Bringing Life and Bread
The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum
When in late 1943, my parents learned about the Children Action of 5 November in the Šiauliai Ghetto, they decided that I should not stay in the ghetto any longer. Agronomist Antanas Midvigis, whom my mother met under the circumstances unknown to me, agreed to help. He took my mother and myself to Vincas Vobolevičius who owned a grange in Saliai village near Vandžiogala. I still see that view: the night, dark streets of Kaunas, me in a harnessed carriage. I think that before we reached Saliai we’ve stopped at the place of the Zubovas-Čiurlionis family. It had happened before that my father or my mother would stop at their place for a while when leaving ghetto. The Zubovas family could not hide us at their place for any longer period: German raids in the town centre were the routine practice.
During the war, Sofija Čiurlionienė, Danutė Zubovienė and Vladimiras (Vladys) Zubovas have saved many Jews. All the three of them were awarded the Yad Vashem Medal of the Righteous Among the Nations. They are also in our hearts.
…My parents stayed in the ghetto until 29 March 1944. It was very difficult to escape at this time but they found the solution: they joined a brigade of Jewish workers taken in a boat over the River Neris. They spent one day at the place of the Zubovas family and then reached the Vobolevičius’ grange where a hiding place had been built for them. My grandparents Kenigsbergas, most probably, have moved there before – Germans conducted the Children Action in the ghetto exterminating all the children, as well as elder people just a day before my parents’ escape. Helia Vobolevičienė and Vincas Vobolevičius were taking care of my family for four months until the Red Army came. There is no need of explanation how much peace these noble people have lost and what they’ve risked, seeking no benefit for themselves whatsoever.
After the war my parents kept warm, heartfelt and truly close relations with their saviours until the very last days. Neither my parents nor these people are alive. They left children. Vincas Vobolevičius and Helia Vobolevičienė had two sons, Bogdanas and Jonušas, the Lukoševičius couple had three daughters, Alina, Tenia and Nelė. These are the people who saved us from the terrible fate of almost all Lithuanian Jews. I also have a family, two sons and granddaughters. They are saved too.
From the 4th book Hands Bringing Life and Bread
The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum