The story of the Ulma family is one of the most moving examples of moral courage during the Holocaust. Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, together with their children, lived in the village of Markowa in German-occupied Poland.

At great personal risk, they chose to shelter Jewish neighbors who were fleeing Nazi persecution. Their decision was an act of selfless work, rooted in compassion, faith, and a deep sense of human responsibility.

The Ulmas knew the danger they faced. Under Nazi rule, helping Jews in occupied Poland was punishable by death, not only for the person offering aid but often for their entire family. Despite this, the Ulmas continued to hide the Jews in their home. Their sacrifice ultimately cost them their lives, but their actions became a lasting symbol of bravery and humanity in one of history’s darkest periods.

Their story is also part of a much larger history of Polish rescue efforts during the Holocaust. There were many Poles who saved Jews, often in secret and under extreme threat. Some provided food, shelter, false documents, or guidance to safer places. Others helped in ways that were less visible but equally vital. These acts of rescue were not isolated exceptions; they were part of a broader pattern of courage that deserves recognition.

This is reflected at Yad Vashem, where many of the trees planted in honor of the Righteous Among the Nations commemorate Poles. Poland has the largest number of individuals recognized for saving Jews during the Holocaust, a testament to the many acts of conscience carried out by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The Ulma family stands among them as a powerful reminder that even in times of terror, compassion can prevail.

Today, the Ulma family is remembered not only for what they suffered, but for what they chose to do. Their legacy honors all those who risked everything to save others and reminds us that selfless work, even in the face of overwhelming evil, can leave a light that endures for generations.

More about Ulma family on the link below:

Blessed are the youngest. Second anniversary of the beatification of the Ulma Family from Markowa who hid eight Jews on their farm.

Text: Polish Sue