The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Page #2

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Nothing?

ls it my imagination

or was there a little Jewish child

sleeping in your bed last night.

One child is not enough!

Oh Irena, you are so like your father.

Little Anna has always lived

outside the Ghetto.

Inside the wall there are thousands

of children who could be rescued.

Take them out?

ls that what you're thinking?

Past the Gestapo?

German soldiers, Jewish police?

How is that possible?

You are a social worker,

a good social worker

with the biggest heart l know but to

risk everything for something you know

nothing about...

l remember what father used to say.

You see a man drowning,

you must try to save him,

even if you can't swim.

For you?

Two loaves, please.

- You are a Jew.

- No, l'm not.

One of those filthy little

smugglers from the ghetto.

No, l'm Polish.

Let's see you make

the sign of the cross!

Let's go!

With this red hair,

you do not think you look Jewish?

- And get yourself a cap.

- Yes, miss.

lf you want to survive outside

the Ghetto you must lie with

more conviction. And learn how to

cross yourself. Like this. Now, you.

Again. Quickly!

Very good. Get out of here.

Wait!

Who is it?

Hide!

They're coming here. Shh.

l'm afraid.

l want to help children

inside, the, ghetto.

lt is very dangerous - too dangerous.

Yes, probably, but what would it take?

Well, l suppose an organized network

of people you trust, enough money

for each child's room and board.

And if you agree, more Polish families

willing to hide a Jewish child.

- l will try to find some.

- What about identity cards?

That shouldn't be hard, if l destroy

some of the parish death certificates,

issue new baptismal certificates.

That is all the proof Germans

need for an identity card.

The only thing is,

how to get them out?

There is someone you must talk to--

a young man who smuggles

potatoes from the Aryan side,

he works in Korczak's orphanage.

Ask him to introduce you

to Stefan Zgrzembski.

- Zgrzembski?

- Yes, that's him.

Guten morgen, Father.

Doctor Korczak, how many children

live inside the ghetto?

lncluding all the ones who live in

the streets? There must be at least

eighty thousand, half under

the age of ten. Be brave now.

Have you ever tried to get any out?

Out to where?

Not so many Poles want to hide

a Jewish child.

And how many Jews would let their

children live with Gentiles?

What about orphans, these ones?

Even if you found a way, most of mine

could not survive outside the wall.

- Why not?

- She only speaks Yiddish. Is that not right?

They all speak excellent Yiddish.

Polish, that's another matter.

And they are all beautiful

but most are not passable as Aryan.

Irena?

Oh, Stefan.

lt's been a long time.

Irena is here to see you.

You attended my classes together.

Yes, a long time ago.

Let me deal with these

horrible little savages!

l have found something here with

Doctor Korczak and the children.

l am glad.

But you still smuggle potatoes.

Irena Sendler,

always straight to the point.

Tell me how.

l know a few safe ways to get out,

the courthouse has two ways out,

one from the ghetto side

and one from the Aryan side.

That's in the ghetto, from the Aryan

side it's by Ogrodowa street.

l...

l know a man with the key.

- The other ways?

- l can show you.

The main sewer line goes all the way down

to the central junction under Gdanski station.

- And from there?

- Anywhere you want.

One line goes under Okopowa Street,

another under goes under Marszalkowska,

third line goes under

New Town and Miodowa Street.

The Germans keep the courts so busy

they have forgotten this entrance.

You remember our summer walks

along the Vistula River?

Every step.

Shall we?

Welcome to Warsaw.

Thank you, Stefan.

We will use this way first.

- Be careful.

- You know me.

That is what l mean.

Be careful about yourself.

Hurry up, hurry up.

Hello.

You remember me?

What's your name?

The boy who sits beside

you every day.

ls he your brother?

He died.

l'm very sorry.

Can you tell me where you live?

All right.

Come with me.

We have hot soup.

Just made for you.

Are you going to get her

changed in here?

Yes. l think it's a good idea.

- Oh, you are so hungry.

- All right.

We need to do something

about her hair.

- Can we braid it?

- Please help if you would. All right.

- Lets take this skirt off.

- Good girl.

And try a beret.

lt will keep you warm.

Ah, much better. Good girl.

You look so beautiful.

Ready for a little walk in the

courthouse?

My name is Miriam.

Come along, sweetie, we must--

Such a little trouble-maker.

You have no idea. Come along,

sweetheart.

- You want to play with this?

- Thank you.

- Rabbi.

- For me?

Such a dashing fashion for a Rabbi.

And for you, Miss Nijinska!

Oh yes, l remember this book!

- Come in. Oh, yes. Come in, come in!

- Thank you Rabbi.

So many people without shelter.

Eva. Hannah, come here.

Take this place.

Shall we read a little bit?

Why do l have to be a Jew?

You were born into the Jewish faith.

What if l want to be something else?

l don't like being

hated by everybody.

Everybody does not hate you.

Yes they do. You know it's true.

What did we ever do?

lt's not fair.

No, It's not.

There are ways to get out of the ghetto,

ways that are still safe.

- l cannot.

- Yes, l know.

But l've been thinking about Karolyna.

Karolyna?

We know Polish families who

can be trusted, several priests,

- convents in the countryside.

- Stop, Irena!

Let me ask you one thing,

tell me from your heart.

How is it possible

for a mother to give up a child? How?

Now l must ask you something -

a terrible thing.

No, no don't, please...

lf it happened that the rumors are true

and if for Karolyna you had to

choose between life and death...

- Please, l cannot face it, l cannot.

- You can, Eva - and you must.

Irenka. Do you know what this

author says about life?

- Mama, please, l have to go.

- Please.

Take one moment to breathe.

Please.

What this writer says is in order

to have a happy life,

you must exercise your own free will.

Interesting. Bye-bye.

Which is why l would never tell you

not to do something or suggest

to you that l might possibly be worried.

l would never do such a thing.

No matter what happens.

Thank you, Mama.

Thank you.

- What has happened?

- All the Social Service programs

- have been suspended.

- Who has access?

From now on only nurses, doctors,

workers in the Health Department.

Today l was told l am officially

responsible for any further spread

of Typhus.

You know

it is impossible, what do they--

Of course it's impossible.

That's their point.

lf l cannot help myself,

how can l help you?

l will need Health Department

work passes, four - no, no

maybe five nurse's uniforms.

lt that all?

Perhaps a larger vehicle.

We will seek orphans and homeless

in the market area and specific families

we already know are willing

to let us place their children...

One of Doctor Majkowski's drivers

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