Righteous Among the Nations medal
Object numberM2010/088:001a
TitleRighteous Among the Nations medal
DescriptionMedal issued by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem to Irena Szumska-Ingram, 10 November 2009 honouring her as Righteous Among the Nations for her role in saving the life of Bernard Hellreich (Bernard Ingram). Bernard later married his rescuer. The story is told by Bernard in the book 'Unfinished Symphony'.
Bernard Hellreich-Ingram was born 10 May 1913 in Tarnopol, Poland. His assumed name was Zbigniew Jakobiszyn [known as Zbyszek]. His father Zusie Hellreich, who had a textile business and was a well-known philanthropist and also the founder of the Jewish hospital in Tarnopol, was murdered in Belzec aged 70.
Bernard decided to study medicine, though medicine was “impenetrable” - Numerous clauses severely restricted the number of Jews studying medicine. He studied for 3 years in Bratislava, finishing his degree in Italy. He was introduced to Irena Szumska, who “spoke a beautiful Polish and was hopelessly beautiful.” A romantic relationship developed. On 22 June 1941 Germany started an offensive against the Russians. Tarnopol was in the grip of chaos; many Jewish friends and colleagues fled east. Bernard stayed with Irena. The arrival of the Nazis was heralded by a massive anti-Jewish massacre during which Irena took Bernard to the flat she shared with her mother and sister. A Jewish ghetto was established. All Jews were forced to relocate therein. Bernard was appointed as a concentration camp doctor to the newly established Arbeits Lager [labour camp] at Hluboszek. He was given permission to rent a room outside the camp. To get medical supplies he had a permit authorising him to enter and leave the ghetto. Conditions in the ghetto had deteriorated. Deportations had begun. Irena organised false documents including a birth certificate and passport using her ex-boyfriend’s— Zbyszek Jakobiszyn’s details for him. On 1 April 1942 he walked out of the ghetto and began life in a new Christian skin.
They headed for Nowy Sacz where Irena’s high school friend—Marian Golebiowski made provision for them to travel to Jaslo where Janek Ryndak offered hospitality. Janek became suspicious that Bernard was a Jew, so Marion made alternate arrangements to ensure their safety—leave Jaslo for a village called Czermna. They spent the next two-and-a-half years there till—September/October 1944.
Bernard worked as a doctor. His grateful patients brought him food—chickens, eggs, potatoes and sour cream. He carried a pocket-sized booklet summarising medical disorders. He became familiar with the details and ritual of Catholic religious practices. With time the village became increasingly exposed to continuous German attention and they decided to move to neighbouring Swiecany. They waited for the Russians to arrive—which they did on 14 January 1945. “The endless nightmare of being hunted, hated and degraded was over.” They decided to move to Krakow. He learnt that his father, sister Etka, stepmother and her two sons—Munio and Izio all perished. Only his younger brother—Mietek survived. The rest of his relatives all disappeared without a trace.
Bernard considered emigration to Australia where his sister had settled; she had written glowing accounts of her life here. He and Irena landed in Sydney in 1947. Virtually penniless, with an Italian degree and the hope of practising immediately, they settled in Swansea near Newcastle. It had no resident doctor and he was welcomed. “Whether ringing for an ambulance or arranging a hospital visit I met an irritating spelling and pronunciation barrier at the mention of my name.” Irena too had experienced such frustration. “One day she picked up the phone book and virtually at random the name Ingram became ours.”
Bernard Hellreich-Ingram was born 10 May 1913 in Tarnopol, Poland. His assumed name was Zbigniew Jakobiszyn [known as Zbyszek]. His father Zusie Hellreich, who had a textile business and was a well-known philanthropist and also the founder of the Jewish hospital in Tarnopol, was murdered in Belzec aged 70.
Bernard decided to study medicine, though medicine was “impenetrable” - Numerous clauses severely restricted the number of Jews studying medicine. He studied for 3 years in Bratislava, finishing his degree in Italy. He was introduced to Irena Szumska, who “spoke a beautiful Polish and was hopelessly beautiful.” A romantic relationship developed. On 22 June 1941 Germany started an offensive against the Russians. Tarnopol was in the grip of chaos; many Jewish friends and colleagues fled east. Bernard stayed with Irena. The arrival of the Nazis was heralded by a massive anti-Jewish massacre during which Irena took Bernard to the flat she shared with her mother and sister. A Jewish ghetto was established. All Jews were forced to relocate therein. Bernard was appointed as a concentration camp doctor to the newly established Arbeits Lager [labour camp] at Hluboszek. He was given permission to rent a room outside the camp. To get medical supplies he had a permit authorising him to enter and leave the ghetto. Conditions in the ghetto had deteriorated. Deportations had begun. Irena organised false documents including a birth certificate and passport using her ex-boyfriend’s— Zbyszek Jakobiszyn’s details for him. On 1 April 1942 he walked out of the ghetto and began life in a new Christian skin.
They headed for Nowy Sacz where Irena’s high school friend—Marian Golebiowski made provision for them to travel to Jaslo where Janek Ryndak offered hospitality. Janek became suspicious that Bernard was a Jew, so Marion made alternate arrangements to ensure their safety—leave Jaslo for a village called Czermna. They spent the next two-and-a-half years there till—September/October 1944.
Bernard worked as a doctor. His grateful patients brought him food—chickens, eggs, potatoes and sour cream. He carried a pocket-sized booklet summarising medical disorders. He became familiar with the details and ritual of Catholic religious practices. With time the village became increasingly exposed to continuous German attention and they decided to move to neighbouring Swiecany. They waited for the Russians to arrive—which they did on 14 January 1945. “The endless nightmare of being hunted, hated and degraded was over.” They decided to move to Krakow. He learnt that his father, sister Etka, stepmother and her two sons—Munio and Izio all perished. Only his younger brother—Mietek survived. The rest of his relatives all disappeared without a trace.
Bernard considered emigration to Australia where his sister had settled; she had written glowing accounts of her life here. He and Irena landed in Sydney in 1947. Virtually penniless, with an Italian degree and the hope of practising immediately, they settled in Swansea near Newcastle. It had no resident doctor and he was welcomed. “Whether ringing for an ambulance or arranging a hospital visit I met an irritating spelling and pronunciation barrier at the mention of my name.” Irena too had experienced such frustration. “One day she picked up the phone book and virtually at random the name Ingram became ours.”
Production placeJerusalem, Israel
Production date 2009-11-10
SubjectRighteous Among the Nations, rescue
Object namemedals
Materialmetal
Dimensions
- diameter: 60.00 mm
depth: 4.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Vivienne Ingram
Documentation
Unfinished symphony300000096
Unfinished symphony300000096