Wo einst Löwen und Eisbären lebten, fanden viele Verfolgte Zuflucht - … Then he received money from Polish Council to Aid Jews – Żegota, the only state organisation in Europe helping Jews during WW2. We need to remember that throughout the German occupation of Poland, many Poles risked their own lives – and the lives of their families – to rescue Jews from the Germans. During its suppression, Zabinski was captured and taken to Germany as a prisoner. Her father, Antoni Erdman, was an engineer who based his operations in St. Petersburg and “…travelled throughout Russia following his trade” (Ackerman 18). Info. Many animals were killed, and some escaped in the chaos. The Zabinski’s grandson, Dominik Zawadzki remains closely connected with the villa and its work as did the Zabinski’s daughter, Teresa Zawadzka-Zabinski prior to her unfortunate passing away in January 2021. Jan with Antonina and their son Ryszard occupied the house where they secretly sheltered Jews. In fact, Jan was deeply active — smuggling weapons, building bombs, overthrowing trains, and even poisoning meat that was being fed to the Nazis. Dr. Bennet Omalu and his battle to raise awareness about CTE is the inspiration behind the 2015 movie starring Will Smith. Jan's cousin. Jan Żabiński died on July 26th in 1974. He was a director of the renowated Warsaw zoo before and during World War II. Jan Żabiński, Polish zoologist. Jan Żabiński was appointed Director of the Zoological Garden in 1929. The directorof thezooused to say: As social activists and lovers of the natural … Despite the enormous problems he faced as the director of a zoo during wartime, he was not blind to the suffering of the Jews. When her husband was captured, Antonina stepped in Eventually, though, his part in the resistance caught up with him. WARSAW — The daughter of former Warsaw Zoo directors Jan and Antonina Zabinski, who saved hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust by hiding them at the zoo and whose story was told in … The Zookeeper’s Wife tells the true story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, ... Caro is a director without a single hit to her name, so it’s quite possible that she just wasn’t prepared to translate a story of this magnitude. He later took on a position at the State Commission for the Preservation of Nature and authored 60 science books. During the Holocaust, the family successfully hid 300 Jewish men, women, and children in their villa and in the zoo's animal cages and tunnels. He was also secretly part of the Polish resistance and used his distinct professional standing to smuggle food and Jews in and out of the Warsaw Ghetto. Jan with Antonina and their son Ryszard occupied the house where they secretly sheltered Jews. Antonina Zabinski (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Jan (Johan Heldenbergh), live with their son, Ryszard (Tim Radford and Val Maloku), in a villa at the Warsaw Zoo. Aka: Kris. Jan Zabinski was a courageous, yet collected taker of risks, whose upbringing connected him closely to many Jews. … I felt an overwhelming sense of shame for my own helplessness and fear.". In August and September 1944, Jan Zabinski fought alongside fellow members of the Polish underground as part of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) in the Warsaw Polish Uprising. In 1939 a third of the capital city Warsaw, and 10% of the entire country was Jewish. Over 300 Jews found temporary shelter in the house and abandoned animal cages. Zabinski’s name became known amongst the Polish underground, which created a Jewish rescue organization called Zegota. Dr. Jan Zabinski was the director of the Warsaw Zoo before and during the WW II. Jan & Antonina Zabinski: A Family That Defied the Nazis Corie Rosen California State University Channel Islands Summer 2017 Early Life and Education Antonina Zabinski was a Russian-born Pole born in 1908. The situation in the ghetto soon became worse, so Jan and his wife, Antonina, decided to use their position in the zoo to offer shelter to the people in need. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. / But the couple embarked on a much bolder act of rebellion than offering a glass of water. Dr. Jan Żabiński, director of the Warsaw ZOO, and his wife Antonina Żabińska helped save Jews, hiding them in empty cages and pavilions of the Warsaw ZOO as well as in their home. Jan and Antonia Zabinski saved more than 300 Jews during Second World War They hid runaway families in monkey cages, basement tunnels and in their villa Mrs Zabinski used to … Yes. Most of the surviving animals were taken to zoos in Austria and … Their story was the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster “The Zookeeper’s Wife”. Biography.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. 31: Halina: Dobrowolska: The Home Army messenger. For three years, they chose to hide and shelter close to 300 Jews and political insurgents at their zoo. Although Antonina knew her husband was involved in the resistance, she didn't know the full extent. By 1945 97% of Poland's Jews were dead. It may have been a lack of skill, not active discrimination against Christianity, that omitted Antonia’s faith and Jan’s extensive heroics. During the bombing in September 1939 they witnessed the destruction of the zoo. In 1968 the state of Israel honored the Zabinskis with the title "Righteous Among the Nations," a recognition that was given to all those brave citizens who helped save Jews during the Holocaust. Share. The Squirrels, The Hamsters, The Pheasants) and gave some of the zoo animals human names. Co-founder of the Warsaw Zoological Gardens, and its director from 1929, Dr Jan Zabinski was highly regarded in zoological circles for developing the institution into one of Europe’s most celebrated and diverse zoological gardens, and lived an idyllic life with his wife Antonina and their young son Ryszard in the zookeeper’s villa, where their daughter Teresa was born during the war. When the Warsaw ghetto was established Jan and his wife, Antonina, began helping their Jewish friends. At the height of Adolf Hitler's reign, Jan Zabinski was director of the Warsaw Zoo and superintendent of the city parks. Jacek: Fedorowicz: A Polish satirist. A teacher, a childhood neighbor, even her grandmother are channeled into Rowling's characters. His wife Antonina and son Ryszard (whose name means lynx in Polish) … There was compartmentalization in all the underground organizations. As an employee of the Warsaw municipality he was allowed to enter the ghetto. "I do not belong to any party, and no party program was my guide during the occupation...," he said. More than 25% of which were Polish. "I looked at them with despair," she said. If you haven’t seen it yet we highly recommend to watch it. © 2021 Realization: Jan and Antonina Zabinski, and their 6 year old son Ryszard, lived in a villa on the zoo grounds. As a staunch atheist, Jan credits his willingness to fight for the Jews as an opportunity to show his humanity. His wife Antonina continued his work, looking after the needs of the Jews left behind in the ruins of the city. Ryszard Zabinski, Actor: Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo. Copy link. Once Jan started bringing families from the Warsaw ghetto to the zoo, Antonina and her son Ryszard made sure that they were taken care of and safe. While he was a prisoner, his wife Antonina and their son, Ryszard, continued helping Jews at the zoo. More can be read at the official Yad Vashem website. When Germans invaded and bombed Warsaw in 1939  Żabiński, together with his wife Antonina, saved more than 300 Jews from starvation or shipping them to the German death camp Treblinka. Jan & Antonina Zabinski About half of the six million European Jews killed in the Holocaust were Polish. Based on Antonina's diary, their heroic story is the focus of the 2017 film, The Zookeeper's Wife, which stars Jessica Chastain. To date, 6,863 Christian Poles have been awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel, more than those of any other nation (to compare Germany just 616). Ryszard Zabinski was the son of Warsaw Zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski. Jan and Antonina Żabiński can refer to: Jan Żabiński; Antonina Żabińska This page was last edited on 10 December 2019, at 00:03 (UTC). Anything and anyone we did not have to know, we did not know. The beloved hymn and its author John Newton, a former enslaver, have inspired a new Broadway musical, but the true history is complex and ambiguous. Jan Żabiński (8 April 1897 – 26 July 1974) and his wife Antonina Żabińska (née Erdman) (1908–1971) were a Polish couple from Warsaw, recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations for their heroic rescue of Jews during the Holocaust in Poland. To conceal their Jewish names, Antonina gave some of the families animal nicknames (e.g. Meet Teresa Zawadzka, Daughter of Jan and Antonina Żabiński. Although much of the zoo was damaged due to bombing, Antonina, Jan and their son allowed Jews to hide in empty animal cages, in their house (sometimes up to a dozen at a time), and secret underground tunnels. Just like in the movie, the real-life fate of the Zabinskis had a happy ending: Jan survived the prison camp and returned to his family. Sylwester: Braun: A Field reporter. Teresa: Zabinski: Antonina and Jan's daughter. That was the real-life consequence that zookeepers' Jan and Antonina Zabinski faced when Germany invaded Poland during World War II. -Antonina was born in St. Petersburg in 1897. In 1944 he fought in the Warsaw Polish Uprising and was caught by the Germans. Nikolaj: Gutowski: Jan's cousin. In this dangerous undertaking he was helped by his wife, Antonina, a recognized author, and their young son, Ryszard, who supplied food and looked after the needs of the many distraught Jews … A refuge, a haven, an ark – that is how the people who survived World War II thanks to the Żabiński family remember the Warsaw ZOO. Up Next. Despite being characterized as nervous and fearful, she did not let that nor the loss of her parents prevent her from helping those escaping the Nazis. 32: Andrzej: Grabski: The son of the Polish ex-Prime Minister. Learn about the real inspiration behind the 2017 movie about the Pentagon Papers. "My deeds were and are a consequence of a certain psychological composition, a result of a progressive-humanistic upbringing, which I received at home as well as in Kreczmar High School. Shopping. 26.793 people has been recognised so far. It is with great sadness we announce the recent passing of Teresa Zawadzki-Zabinski on 30 January 2021, the daughter of Jan and Antonina who was born in the Zookeeper’s Villa in 1944 during WWII and was the last surviving member of the Zabinski family to have lived in the villa where her parents hid at the peril of risking their own and their 2 children's lives, approximately 300 Jews from the Warsaw ghetto. Over 300 Jews found temporary shelter in the house and abandoned animal cages. Before the War -Jan was born in Warsaw in 1897 to an affluent family. Then he received money from Polish Council to Aid Jews – Żegota, the only state organisation in Europe helping Jews during WW2. Out of the 300 people the Zabinskis saved, only two died during the war; all the others remarkably found refuge and safe passage elsewhere. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Martin Scorsese's 1990 film about Hill and the mafia comes to a climax during the now-infamous Lufthansa Heist. -Jan studied zoology at the Warsaw college of agriculture. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Antonina and son Rys cowered inside their home as they listened to the sound of boozy laughter, gunshots — and the screams of animals dropping in cages. They continued sending Zabinski refugees, who stayed in the cages. Most of the zoo’s structures were destroyed in the bombings. Feliks: Cywinski: Man who commanded brigade that included Samuel. Many times I wished to analyze the causes for dislike for Jews and I could not find any, besides artificially formed ones.". Born as a strict Catholic and having lost her parents during the Russian Revolution by the Bolsheviks, Antonina knew the costs of war in a very personal way. He was a director of the renowated Warsaw zoo before and during World War II. She even dyed the hair of an entire Jewish family so they could disguise their background. As a lover of animals and believing that every living creature was important, Antonina played an indispensable role in saving hundreds of Jewish lives. Antonina used music to communicate to the escapees, playing a particular tune to signal when they needed to hide and then playing a different tune when the coast was clear. Ryszard Zabinski was the son of Warsaw Zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski. DKAmedia Jan took part in the Warsaw Uprising and was taken as a prisoner to Germany. At the same time, they were part of the Polish underground – the ZOO serve as a drop for … These are the real-life mobsters and events that inspired the books and movies. 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