Shulim Saleschutz

Born: March 7, 1930, Kolbuszowa, Poland

Shulim Saleschutz was a nine-year-old boy living with his family in the town of Kolbuszowa when the Germans invaded Poland. Polish soldiers on horseback tried to fight, but they couldn't defend themselves against the German tanks. Shulim's father, known for his incredible strength, helped bury the dead horses after the battle.

Life changed dramatically for all the Jewish people in town. Neither Shulim nor his brother, Shlomo, or sister, Rozia, were allowed to go to school. No Jewish children were. In 1941, Germans forced the Saleschutzes and other Jewish families to move into one small section of Kolbuszowa. Shulim lived in a crowded apartment with his parents, siblings, grandparents, an uncle, and two aunts. On his birthday in 1942, Shulim had to start wearing an armband with a Star of David, like the other Jewish men. He felt proud. The Germans forced Shulim and other men to work, clearing snow and fixing the roads.

In July of 1942, Shulim Saleschutz was sent to the Belzec extermination camp. There, Shulim, Shlomo, Rozia, and their mother were gassed to death. He was 12 years old.