History of Sorts

On January 9, 1943, Heinrich Himmler inspected the Warsaw Ghetto, an event that sent shockwaves through the community.

The resistance groups recognized the visit as an ominous sign, fearing it marked the beginning of another wave of deportations. In response, they posted signs across the ghetto urging defiance:

For the past six months, we have lived in constant, mortal fear, never knowing what each new day might bring. News from all sides confirms the extermination of Jews in the General Gouvernement [the German-occupied zone of Poland], in Germany, and in other occupied countries. […] JEWISH MASSES! The hour is drawing near. Prepare to resist—do not let yourselves be slaughtered like sheep. No Jew must enter a boxcar. Those unable to fight should resist passively: hide yourselves.

Anticipating deportations to begin on January 22, the ŻOB (Jewish Combat Organization) immediately began organizing resistance efforts. However, German forces surprised them by launching an operation earlier than expected, entering the ghetto on January 18.

Despite being caught off guard, ŻOB fighters quickly responded with force. Resistance groups rounded up at the Umschlagplatz, the departure point for deportation trains, broke out of line, and opened fire on the guards. Elsewhere, in workshops and houses, resistance fighters armed with guns ambushed German troops as they attempted to storm buildings.

On January 18, 1943, the Germans initiated their second wave of deportations in the Warsaw Ghetto, sparking the first instance of armed resistance within its walls. While Jewish families sought refuge in makeshift “bunkers,” fighters from the ŻOB (Jewish Combat Organization) and ŻZW (Jewish Military Union) confronted the German forces in direct combat.

Although both the ŻOB and ŻZW suffered heavy losses, including the deaths of some of their leaders, their resistance inflicted significant casualties on the Germans. The deportation effort, initially intended to remove 8,000 people, was abruptly halted after just a few days. Approximately 1,200 Jews were killed, and around 5,000 were deported—far fewer than the Germans had planned.

Despite their limited resources, the Jewish fighters managed to kill about a dozen German soldiers and wound several dozen more, marking a significant moment of defiance against Nazi oppression.

Mordechai Anielewicz was the leader of the ŻOB fightersl this is his story.

As the leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II, Anielewicz’s legacy serves as a testament to the unyielding human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

Early Life
Mordechai Anielewicz was born on December 28, 1919, in Wyszków, a small town near Warsaw, Poland. His parents, part of the Jewish working class, provided a modest but stable upbringing. Mordechai exhibited strong leadership qualities and a keen intellect from a young age. After moving to Warsaw, he attended a Hebrew secondary school and became involved in Zionist youth organizations, particularly Hashomer Hatzair, a socialist and Zionist group dedicated to fostering a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Anielewicz was deeply influenced by the political and social ideologies of the time, especially those advocating for Jewish self-reliance. His leadership skills and commitment to the Jewish cause quickly earned him recognition within the organization.

The Outbreak of War and Life in the Ghetto
When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Mordechai’s world, along with that of millions of Jews, was irrevocably shattered. The occupation brought the implementation of draconian anti-Jewish laws and the establishment of ghettos. By 1940, Warsaw had become home to the largest Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Europe, housing over 400,000 Jews in dire conditions.

Mordechai and many others witnessed the horrors of starvation, disease, and brutal Nazi oppression. Despite these conditions, he became increasingly determined to resist. Along with other youth leaders, he worked to maintain morale and secretly educated ghetto inhabitants about resistance and Jewish history.

The Formation of the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB)
By 1942, the situation in the Warsaw Ghetto had reached a critical point. The Nazis began mass deportations to the Treblinka extermination camp, sending hundreds of thousands of Jews to their deaths. Witnessing this genocide spurred Mordechai and other leaders into action. In July 1942, the Jewish Combat Organization (Żydowska Organizacja Bojowa or ŻOB) was established, with Anielewicz later assuming command.

ŻOB was composed of various youth groups and political factions, unified by the shared goal of resisting Nazi oppression. Mordechai emerged as a charismatic and strategic leader. Though ŻOB was poorly equipped, with only a handful of weapons, its members demonstrated remarkable courage and ingenuity.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
On April 19, 1943, the eve of Passover, the Nazis launched a final operation to liquidate the Warsaw Ghetto. What they encountered, however, was fierce resistance. ŻOB fighters, under Mordechai’s leadership, launched a coordinated attack, using a combination of small arms, Molotov cocktails, and guerilla tactics to fend off the vastly superior German forces.

The resistance fighters’ determination shocked the Nazis, who had anticipated an easy operation. Instead, they faced weeks of intense urban combat. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Jewish fighters inflicted significant casualties and forced the Nazis to adopt harsher measures, including the systematic burning of the ghetto.

In a letter written during the uprising, Mordechai expressed the fighters’ determination:

“What happened is beyond our dreams. The Germans ran twice from the ghetto. One of our groups held out for forty minutes, and another – for more than six hours. The mine set in the area of the brush-makers exploded. Several of our companies attacked the Germans and caused them heavy casualties. Our losses were generally not too heavy.”

Mordechai’s Final Stand
As the battle wore on, the odds against the ŻOB became insurmountable. On May 8, 1943, the Nazis discovered the ŻOB headquarters at Mila 18. Rather than surrender, Mordechai and many of his comrades chose to take their own lives, preferring death to capture. Anielewicz was only 23 years old.

Legacy
Though the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was ultimately crushed, it became a symbol of Jewish resistance and courage. Mordechai Anielewicz’s leadership inspired countless others during the Holocaust and continues to resonate today.

In the years following the war, Anielewicz’s name became synonymous with the spirit of resistance. Monuments and memorials have been erected in his honor, including the famous “Mordechai Anielewicz Mound” in Warsaw. Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in Israel, named after him, stands as a living tribute to his memory and ideals.

Lessons from Mordechai Anielewicz
Mordechai’s story is not just one of resistance but of hope and the enduring power of human dignity. His actions remind us that even in the face of overwhelming oppression, the fight for justice and freedom is worth pursuing.

His life and sacrifice serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering history and honoring those who stood up against tyranny. As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once said, “To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” In remembering Mordechai Anielewicz, we ensure that his courage and the voices of all those who resisted are never silenced.

Sources

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/warsaw-ghetto-uprising

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/holocaust-uprising/

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/warsaw-ghetto-uprising

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2023/world/warsaw-ghetto-uprising-80-anniversary/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto_Uprising

https://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/warsaw_ghetto_testimonies/resistance.asp

Jan. 18, 1943: Jewish Resistance in Warsaw Ghetto

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