rescuers of jews
Žvironas Antanas
Botanist Jakub Mowsczowicz (1902 – 1982)
Dalia Epšteinaitė
There are many famous litvaks (the Lithuanian Jews) whose the only belonging to Lithuania is their birthplace written in encyclopedias: J. Heifitz, (Ref.1), M. Antokolsky (Ref.2), S. Levitas (Ref. 3) from Ukmerge, the pioneer of the medical genetics.
This article is about a litvak whose connection with Lithuania is not only his origin but also the impact of his deals.
Jakub Mowsczowicz was a true litvak, born in Vilnius. He spent his childhood and youth here – on the Gates of Dawn Street. The multi-lingual media had a deep influence on him. He has studied in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and Polish schools. His interest of plants and nature actually was coursed by this miscellaneous environment he lived in.
He used to go out of the city with farmers' carriages in order to explore the plants. His parents reacted negatively to their son's passion for such a "non-Jewish" profession, and it was a deep disappointment for him. Finally, the conflict forced Mowsczowicz to leave his family.
He succeeded in studies and in scientific research. The great doctorate work was focused on the flora in Paneriai hills. Mowsczowicz described 180 kinds of plants in his doctorate. He has lectured in the Faculty of Life sciences.
During the Nazi occupation Mowsczowicz with his family was imprisoned in the Vilnius ghetto. He had the possibility to hid at his colleagues but he didn't want to leave his parents. Mowsczowicz has teached Mathematics, Geography and Botanics in the underground school in ghetto. He organized an excursion for kids to the park Vingis.
During an action Mowsczowicz 's parents were arrested but he was absent at the moment. Once avoided being arrested he resolved to leave the ghetto. Then he hid in houses of several families. When the end of the war was approaching Mowsczowicz didn't want to course danger for his friends any more. He went to hid in the Botanic garden glasshouse. But the guard has betrayed him. He survived miraculously.
In 1945 he moved to live in Poland. In Lodz he planted the botanic garden, established the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection (Ref. 4).
Mowsczowicz has contributed a lot for Poland and Lithuania as well. After his death his name was given to the botanic garden of Lodz, to University auditorium. The 5 km length memorial path dedicated to Mowsczowicz was arranged in the historical landscape.
References:
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jascha_Heifetz
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Antokolski
3.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Solomon+Grigorevich
+Levit
4.http://www.ceebd.co.uk/ceeed/un/po/po006.htm
Dalia Epšteinaitė
There are many famous litvaks (the Lithuanian Jews) whose the only belonging to Lithuania is their birthplace written in encyclopedias: J. Heifitz, (Ref.1), M. Antokolsky (Ref.2), S. Levitas (Ref. 3) from Ukmerge, the pioneer of the medical genetics.
This article is about a litvak whose connection with Lithuania is not only his origin but also the impact of his deals.
Jakub Mowsczowicz was a true litvak, born in Vilnius. He spent his childhood and youth here – on the Gates of Dawn Street. The multi-lingual media had a deep influence on him. He has studied in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and Polish schools. His interest of plants and nature actually was coursed by this miscellaneous environment he lived in.
He used to go out of the city with farmers' carriages in order to explore the plants. His parents reacted negatively to their son's passion for such a "non-Jewish" profession, and it was a deep disappointment for him. Finally, the conflict forced Mowsczowicz to leave his family.
He succeeded in studies and in scientific research. The great doctorate work was focused on the flora in Paneriai hills. Mowsczowicz described 180 kinds of plants in his doctorate. He has lectured in the Faculty of Life sciences.
During the Nazi occupation Mowsczowicz with his family was imprisoned in the Vilnius ghetto. He had the possibility to hid at his colleagues but he didn't want to leave his parents. Mowsczowicz has teached Mathematics, Geography and Botanics in the underground school in ghetto. He organized an excursion for kids to the park Vingis.
During an action Mowsczowicz 's parents were arrested but he was absent at the moment. Once avoided being arrested he resolved to leave the ghetto. Then he hid in houses of several families. When the end of the war was approaching Mowsczowicz didn't want to course danger for his friends any more. He went to hid in the Botanic garden glasshouse. But the guard has betrayed him. He survived miraculously.
In 1945 he moved to live in Poland. In Lodz he planted the botanic garden, established the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection (Ref. 4).
Mowsczowicz has contributed a lot for Poland and Lithuania as well. After his death his name was given to the botanic garden of Lodz, to University auditorium. The 5 km length memorial path dedicated to Mowsczowicz was arranged in the historical landscape.
References:
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jascha_Heifetz
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Antokolski
3.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Solomon+Grigorevich
+Levit
4.http://www.ceebd.co.uk/ceeed/un/po/po006.htm