Jewish woman, Polish Catholic savior reunite in New York after 7 decades

Barry Paddock , Rich Schapiro

Jewish Holocaust survivor Mira Wexler, right, and Helena Weglowski, left, whose Polish Catholic family rescued Mira and her mother during World War II, met Wednesday for the first time in 69 years. / Christie M Farriella/for New York Daily News

Nearly 70 years after they saw each other last, Mira Wexler, a Polish Jew, and Helena Weglowski, whose family sheltered Wexler and her mother during World War II, met face-to-face Wednesday in an emotional reunion at Kennedy Airport. The friends were just girls during the Wexlers’ hiding.

At the height of World War II, they were two young girls living in starkly different circumstances.

Mira Wexler, a Polish Jew, was fleeing the Nazis after they invaded her homeland.

Helena Weglowski, a Polish Catholic, was living freely on her family farm as she and her parents secretly sheltered and delivered food to Wexler and her mother.

Nearly 70 years after they last saw each other last, Wexler and Weglowski met face-to-face Wednesday in an emotional reunion at Kennedy Airport.

“The war destroyed everything, but now we can be together again,” Weglowski, 85, told Wexler, 76. “I’m extremely overwhelmed.”

Wexler, who flew in from Brazil for the long-awaited reunion, said she had long given up hope of ever seeing her Polish savior again.

“It is very touching for me to be here and see Helena again,” Wexler said. “It’s something I couldn’t imagine — and it’s happening.”

The reunion — arranged by The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous — was witnessed by Wexler’s three daughters and one of her grandchildren, along with one of Weglowski’s daughters.

The two families had known each other for years.

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