Cezarów (Olesin)

A household member

In the spring of 1941, Idel, a Jew, took residence at the farm of Bolesław and Aleksandra Książek, which was located close to the forest in the village of Cezarów. Bolesław had known Idel’s father before the war, as they had served in the army together. The Książeks were known for their kindness in the local community. The couple did not have children, so a teenage boy in their house would certainly have attracted attention, yet they did not hide him from their family and neighbors. They considered Idel a household member; he helped them at the farm, grazing cows. It was only two years later, when the situation became dangerous, that Idel had to move to a hideout in the barn.

On the morning of 12 May 1943, the Germans arrived at the Książeks’ household. Aleksandra managed to escape through a window, while Bolesław was caught by the gendarmes and beaten. Idel was dragged out of his hideout. Both men were murdered near the forest, and their bodies were buried in a common grave. On the same day, the family buried Bolesław at the parish cemetery in Dębe Wielkie. The remains of Idel are still buried at the execution site.