| CZERNIC near Ryki – November 20, 2013. |
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Among the participants were: a representative of the President of Poland, the Chief Rabbi of Poland, a Catholic parish priest, local authorities, students and teachers from nearby schools, representatives of the Garwolin Forestry Management Office and the residents of Czernic. The ceremony was led by Zbigniew Niziński, the Foundation’s president. The guests were welcomed by the mayor. The priest and the rabbi said prayers. Zbigniew Niziński presented witness accounts concerning the events from 1943. Since 1942, the groups of Jews from Ryki District had been hiding in the woods, constantly looking for help and food. One of the groups found shelter in the town of Kolonia Czernic in Wiktoria Dębek’s house. The Jews remained there for about a year. On 29 June 1943, the German soldiers came to the town, surrounded Dębek’s house and set it on fire. The escaping Jews and Wiktoria Dębek were shot to death. After the Germans had departed, the bodies of the dead Jews were transported on carts by the locals to a so-called “Jewish field” and there buried. Today the area is covered with trees and bushes. Wiktoria Dębek was buried on a local parish cemetery. The ceremony attendants paid her tribute by speaking of her altruism, devotion and concern about the fate of other human beings. The Foundation identified 9 names of the murdered Jews. The victims came from the towns of Okrzeja, Ryki and Leopoldowo. Flowers and candles were placed next to the memorial plaque. The students made a poetry performance near the grave.
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The ceremony of unveiling a memorial plaque over the grave of 12 Jews killed by the Germans in Kolonia Czernic on 29 June 1943, was held in the woods near Czernic. In 1943, the Jews were hiding in the house of a local resident when they were all killed. The Lasting Memory Foundation commemorated the grave of the murdered Jews and brought back the tragic events which had taken place 70 years before. 
