Summary
Highlights
A German soldier took a photo in April 1943, and it is the only confirmed image of Jewish female soldiers during the Warsaw Jewish ghetto revolt. In 1961, two of them grabbed global public attention during Adolf Ikman's trial, who was the former logistical manager for annihilating Jews in Europe. Raela Aabbach resisted the Nazis with words, while Civia Lubetkin used weaponry.
Raela Aabach grew up in Galitzia, while Civia Lubetkin was born in Belarus. They both became Polish citizens after Poland regained independence. Compulsory education in Poland played a key role in exposing Jewish children to Polish culture and universal values, influencing their involvement in Jewish youth organizations.
Two main political movements – the Bund and Zionism – influenced Jewish youth. Civia Lubetkin became a member of the Zionist Fryheight movement and helped establish community farms (kibbutim). Raela Awabah moved to Warsaw, became involved in journalism and feminist movements, and wrote about the inequalities faced by women and the rise of anti-semitism.
Following the German invasion of Poland in 1939, Cve Lubetkin returned to Warsaw to reactivate the Zionist youth movement. Civia and Itsak reactivated pre-war kibbutim, and Civia was engaged to Itsac Zukerman. Emanuel Ringelum set up self-management committees and community cantens, where people would receive one bowl of soup a day. Raela Awabah ran one of the cantens invited by Ringolum.
In November 1940, Jews were forced into a sealed ghetto. Emanuel Ringleblum systematically documented daily events through the Ong Shabbat group, with Raela Aabbach describing daily life in her journal. Civia Lubetkin ran the Jelner Street kibuts, which also served as headquarters for the draw groups and a secret publishing house.
As conditions worsened, reports of mass extermination began to circulate. Itsak Zukerman and others formed the anti-fascist block. Despite facing strong resistance, they resolved to resist the Nazis. Propaganda exploited the Jews.
In July 1942, the Germans launched the Great Action, leading to the mass deportation of Jews to extermination camps. Raela Awabah wrote her will, expressing her desire to survive and witness revenge, then took it to the archives.