ŻEGOTA

ŻEGOTA 

ŻEGOTA is a Polish name for the underground Rada Pomocy Żydom. ŻEGOTA was initiated by writer Zofia Kossak-Szczucka, and it included both Jews and non-Jews from many different political movements. Despite their differences, they were motivated to fight the injustices perpetrated by the Nazis. By the summer of 1944, ŻEGOTA was helping 4,000 Jews. However, they were unable to provide aid for more people due to a chronic shortage of funding. ŻEGOTA furnished many Jews with false identification papers, money, and safe hiding places. Despite the death penalty imposed on people who hid Jews, ŻEGOTA members successfully placed thousands of Jewish children in foster homes, public orphanages, and convents, they also provided medical care to Jews in hiding. In addition, ŻEGOTA tried very hard to convince the Polish Government-in-Exile to implore the Polish people to help the Jews.