In Cellars, Pits and Attics
Jonas and Felicija Radlinskas
Sisters Dora and Shifra Reznik from Butrimonys in Lithuania were hidden for almost two years, beginning in the fall of 1942, by Jonas and Felicija Radlinskas, Tatar Muslims who lived with their three daughters in the village of Raižiai. Jonas leased a piece of land from a local imam and barely supported his family with its crops. The Rezniks, sole survivors of their extended family, arrived at the Radlinskas' home after they had wandered in the area for several months. Their clothes were in rags, and Jonas and Felicija took pity on the young fugitives and agreed to hide them. During winter they hid them in the cellar, and in the summer in haystacks in the field. Felicija taught them to sew in order to occupy them during the long hours sitting in the cellar. In the evenings, when the curtains were drawn, they came out of their hiding place and joined the Radlinskas family for supper. Sometimes Dora or Shifra would read from the newspaper to Jonas and his wife who were illiterate, trying to decipher developments on the war front. In August 1944, the area was liberated by the Red Army and the survivors regained their freedom.
On August 7, 2000, Yad Vashem recognized Jonas and Felicija Radlinskas as Righteous Among the Nations.