Żegota

Żegota was the codename for the Council to Aid Jews (Rada Pomocy Żydom), a Polish underground organization operating during World War II in German-occupied Poland. Established in December 1942, it was initiated and funded primarily by the Polish Government-in-Exile and various Jewish organizations. Żegota's main goal was to rescue Jews from the Holocaust, providing them with false identity documents, shelter, food, and medical assistance.

The organization consisted of individuals from various political and social backgrounds, including Polish Catholics and Jews. Its structure was decentralized, relying on a network of volunteers who risked their lives to help those in need. Key figures within Żegota included Zofia Kossak-Szczucka and Irena Sendler.

Despite facing immense challenges posed by the Nazi occupation, including limited resources and the constant threat of discovery, Żegota is credited with saving the lives of thousands of Jews. Its activities are considered one of the most significant efforts by a European resistance movement to assist Jews during the Holocaust. After the war, Żegota's efforts were recognized and honored, and its legacy continues to serve as a powerful example of courage and humanitarianism in the face of genocide.