Peter Twardzik
Poland

The Twardzik farm in Poland was worked by Andrzej and his wife, Maria, with help from their four children, three sons and a daughter. Among their friends and neighbors was a Jewish family by the name of Lerman. The invasion of Poland by the German military in 1939 had a profound impact on the relationship between these two families. The Lermans were taken from their home and forced to live in a ghetto. When living conditions became intolerable and life itself was threatened, they succeeded in escaping the ghetto and sought refuge on the Twardzik farm.

How does a person of one faith entrusting their lives to those outside their own tradition? Is it possible to love your neighbor as yourself? Max Lerman, his brother David, his brother-in-law Mojsze, and a sister Freda Salzman, were given sanctuary in an attic room in the Twardzik farmhouse.

After WWII Peter, the youngest Twardzik son, immigrated to the United States. He has lived in the Chicago are for many years. His parents, Andrzej and Maria, are both dead.