“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.” (Omar Bradley) That’s what Jerzy Bielecki did to save the one he loved. Jerzi fought for the girl he loved, and he fought to out run death. He escaped out of Auschwitz, every moment expecting to be shot down. He was Catholic and was on the first train from Poland to Auschwitz. Jerzy, born in 1923, met his love, in Auschwitz, working at a grain farm. He decided to rescue his love, a Jewish Cyla Cybulska, from the death camp. Jerzy formed a plan, he stole a SS uniform, went to her cabin, and took her for “questioning” where they then escaped to freedom, when he was only 17.
Jerzy showed us how saving one person can make a difference. He did what he thought was right, he helped Cyla to freedom by sneaking her out of Auschwitz and taking her to one of his relative’s homes. He motivated Cyla to escape because she was the only one in her family left, her mother, father, sister, and 2 brothers, were all dead from the gas chambers or from intense labor in the concentration camp. As prisoners on the run, their food supplies soon ran out, and they lacked many resources. They were hungry, tired and dehydrated. Cyla couldn't take the hardship anymore. She was exhausted. Cyla begged for Jerzy to leave her behind, but he would never, keeping her moving by telling her they were close. Most of the time when she was tired he carried her, across rivers, up and down hills, and on flat ground. Jerzy was determined that Cyla should survive which shows his selflessness by only doing what was best for his love. All he cared about was keeping her alive and safe. He even gave up on his own safety to keep her safe, he did everything stealing food, clothes, water, risking his life to keep her’s alive.
Jerzy went beyond his breaking point to get to freedom with Cyla. Jerzy knew he couldn’t save everyone in Auschwitz but he knew he would make a difference to one if he saved their life. He did make a difference to Cyla. He looked death in the eye and said “You won’t take her away from me,” and he took her away from death. After they escaped they were separated, he went to met her but found the building, that they were supposed to met at, burnt down. They both survived not knowing if the other made it. Jerzy's story soon spread, and when Cyla heard it she immediately knew it was her Jerzy.
Jerzy went beyond his breaking point to get to freedom with Cyla. Jerzy knew he couldn’t save everyone in Auschwitz but he knew he would make a difference to one if he saved their life. He did make a difference to Cyla. He looked death in the eye and said “You won’t take her away from me,” and he took her away from death. After they escaped they were separated, he went to met her but found the building, that they were supposed to met at, burnt down. They both survived not knowing if the other made it. Jerzy's story soon spread, and when Cyla heard it she immediately knew it was her Jerzy.
Fighting for what you believe in can be a hard thing, especially when you are trying to escape from a concentration camp. Jerzy accomplished it, he did what he believed in. He kept the one thing that mattered the most, Cyla, alive. Jerzy did one the hardest things to do at a concentration camp, but yet he did. Jerzy escaped the clutches of death.
Painting: The Great Escape by: Natalie Green
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ReplyDeleteThis post is very well written, you stay with one topic and make it very interesting. In this post the reader can tell you put a lot of effort into researching, the post makes you look like an expert on the subject. You also picked a very interesting topic, I was drawn in when I read this. Jerzy's story is very interesting It really is a good story to pick when writting about bravery.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion of mine is to talk about how bravery is important to society and our daily lives. And why bravery is a good character trait to have in all of us. But still a great post.
Your post is very well thought out and organized. There was definitely a lot of hard work and research put into this blog. I like the way that you picked one topic and stayed with it through out the entire blog and how you wound it into your subject, bravery. Jerzy had to be extremely brave to accomplish all that he did with his love Cyla. Even when she had given up and even told him to leave her behind, he wouldn't. It would have made his escape much easier and safer, but he was brave and loved her enough to stay with her through thick and thin. No matter what. But what ever happened to the couple? Did they ever find each other again after their failed attempt at meeting? If not, then all of his (Jerzy's) bravery would have gone to a good but slightly futile cause because sure he saved Cyla, but did they get to stay together?
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