rescuers of jews
Krulickas Viktoras
Viktorija KRULICKIENĖ
Jonas KRULICKAS
To the best friends in my life!
I am writing this letter to the Krulickai. I am grateful to her as well as to her husband who for three years had been hiding me. First of all, in spite of immense difficulties, they were risking their hives in order to save me.
I am Iochee Burko, from Vilnius.
They did not know me at all, and it was neither for money nor for any other things or gold that they saved me. They provided me with documents, put much effort and achieved their aim. I survived only thanks to them. If there is anyone who would want to do something unpleasant to them, please, I beg you, leave these people alone, for it was not only me that they helped, there are many more Jews who survived because of their help.
Now that I am free, I asked them if they were not afraid to risk their lives then. They answered that then I was young, poor and lonely.
Now I am leaving for Vilnius to continue my life in my own home. I am afraid for them, I am afraid that they might be hurt. On the contrary, such people should be valued and loved as our own Jews.
It is my pressing request, which I ask to be fulfilled.
I thank you in advance.
From me, Jochel Burko
Kaunas, 1945.
(Original Yidish)
From Hands Bringing Life and Bread, Volume 1,
The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. Vilnius, 1997
Jonas KRULICKAS
To the best friends in my life!
I am writing this letter to the Krulickai. I am grateful to her as well as to her husband who for three years had been hiding me. First of all, in spite of immense difficulties, they were risking their hives in order to save me.
I am Iochee Burko, from Vilnius.
They did not know me at all, and it was neither for money nor for any other things or gold that they saved me. They provided me with documents, put much effort and achieved their aim. I survived only thanks to them. If there is anyone who would want to do something unpleasant to them, please, I beg you, leave these people alone, for it was not only me that they helped, there are many more Jews who survived because of their help.
Now that I am free, I asked them if they were not afraid to risk their lives then. They answered that then I was young, poor and lonely.
Now I am leaving for Vilnius to continue my life in my own home. I am afraid for them, I am afraid that they might be hurt. On the contrary, such people should be valued and loved as our own Jews.
It is my pressing request, which I ask to be fulfilled.
I thank you in advance.
From me, Jochel Burko
Kaunas, 1945.
(Original Yidish)
From Hands Bringing Life and Bread, Volume 1,
The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. Vilnius, 1997