Holocaust Rescuer Yaroslava Levitza Dies in Haifa at 91
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Yaroslava Levitza, who as a child helped save Jews during the Holocaust, died in Haifa at age 91. Recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, she immigrated to Israel in 1995 and settled in Haifa. Levitza was honored by Haifa students on her 91st birthday, expressing her lifelong desire to help Jews and wishing for world peace. Mayor Yona Yahav eulogized her as a symbol of courage and humanity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaroslava Levitza, who saved Jews during the Holocaust as a child, died in Haifa at 91.
- She was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations along with her mother and grandfather.
- Levitza immigrated to Israel in 1995 and settled in the city of Haifa.
- She celebrated her 91st birthday with Haifa students who honored her for the fourth consecutive year.
- Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav praised her as a symbol of courage, humanity, and kindness.
Yaroslava Levitza, who as a child helped save Jews during the Holocaust, has died in Haifa at the age of 91. She passed away two months before her 92nd birthday, and her funeral is scheduled for today at the Tel Regev cemetery.
Born in Poland in 1935, Levitza began assisting her grandfather in rescuing Jews at the age of six. She delivered food and medicine to Jews in hiding and acted as a messenger, successfully evading suspicion from guards. In 1943, her family sheltered two Jewish survivors and provided food to a group hiding in a ruined house nearby.
Levitza, her mother, and her grandfather were recognized as Righteous Among the Nations in 1989. She immigrated to Israel in 1995, became an Israeli citizen, and settled in Haifa. Her life story was documented in the book "Only Red Candies" by Mihla Klinger-Cohen.
In January, Levitza celebrated her 91st birthday with students from the Basmat school in Haifa, who visited her at the "Golden Age" assisted living facility. The students presented her with greetings, sang songs, and gave her flowers and a birthday cake. Levitza expressed her joy at their happiness and her lifelong desire to help Jews, stating, "The most important thing is that there will be peace in the world."
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav eulogized Levitza, calling her a "symbol of courage, humanity, and kindness." He noted that her actions at such a young age demonstrated that "heroism is not measured by age or strength, but by the willingness to stand by others even at the cost of personal danger." He added that Levitza chose good in a time of evil and left a moral legacy for future generations, particularly youth. Haifa has been her home for over three decades, and the city plans to continue commemorating her story and legacy.
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