Holocaust Survivor's Search Leads to Posthumous Righteous Among the Nations Honor for Rescuer

Aviva Landau, an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor from the Warsaw Ghetto, has seen her rescuer, Anna Naklawska, posthumously recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. The ceremony took place recently at the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Landau, a resident of Tel Aviv, was saved by Naklawska as a child during the war. The family's extensive search, utilizing social media platforms, eventually led them to Naklawska's relatives, enabling the recognition process.

Landau expressed deep emotion at the ceremony, stating, "Anna not only saved my life as a little girl, she instilled in me the love, warmth, and faith in humanity, thanks to which I returned to life and established a glorious dynasty." She described Naklawska as a "beautiful blonde woman" who was a constant presence in her life, with Landau's daughters and grandchildren growing up hearing stories about her.

Landau and her family had previously attempted to have Naklawska recognized but were unable to proceed without contacting her family. The breakthrough came about five years ago when Landau returned to Poland for the first time, and her granddaughter, Gal, began searching for Naklawska's grave. This search led to locating Naklawska's family, resulting in an emotional reunion between the two families and initiating the process for the Righteous Among the Nations honor.

Born in Warsaw in 1937, Landau's family was affluent before the war. During the war, her father arranged for her and her sister to be hidden. Landau was placed with Naklawska, who treated her as her own daughter, providing a warm and loving environment. Landau was raised as a Christian during her time with Naklawska, attending church and a Christian kindergarten. Naklawska risked her life for approximately two years to protect Landau.

As the situation worsened, Naklawska moved Landau to a safe house, a nursing home, to protect her from Nazi officers who came to her door. Landau was separated from Naklawska at this time, an event she vividly remembers. Her father eventually found her at the nursing home after the war.

After the war, Landau and Naklawska maintained contact through letters. Naklawska, who had lost her only son in the war, raised her niece, Agnieszka. Agnieszka's testimony was crucial for Yad Vashem to complete the recognition process for Naklawska. Landau has named one of her great-granddaughters, Alex-Anna, in honor of her rescuer. Landau continues to share her story annually through the "Memory in the Living Room" initiative, now able to show a photograph of Naklawska thanks to the family's discovery.