Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project

Late in November, Irena is visited by a “Wanda,” of the Free Poles in London. She is carrying money for Irena with her, and she tells her that she is Irena’s new contact for “money, medicine, documents, and ‘other items’ that need to be smuggled into the ghetto” (195). Wanda also informs Irena that she is to take Irena to an important meeting with ZEGOTA and the writer Zofia Kossak. Irena is surprised; Kossak is a famous albeit controversial writer, one who was famously anti-Semitic prior to the war but has since reversed her positions, pleading with Poles to come to the aid of Jews: “Whoever remains silent in the face of murder becomes an accomplice of the murder. He who does not condemn, condones” (197).

Two days later, Irena and Wanda travel together to a ZEGOTA house, where she is led up the stairs to Kossak. Irena compliments Kossak on her courage; she responds that she “was born without fear, and without fear one cannot truly be said to be courageous” (198). She and her accomplices tell Irena about their network and explain that they have the same goals. ZEGOTA, however, is nationwide, with contacts and supporters outside of Poland, as well.