Hiding and Passing as Non-Jews in Poland, 1942–1945

doi:10.1017/9781108900447.017

14 - Hiding and Passing as Non-Jews in Poland, 1942–1945

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 May 2025

Jan Grabowski

Edited by

Marion Kaplan and

Natalia Aleksiun

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Marion Kaplan: Affiliation:
New York University
Natalia Aleksiun: Affiliation:
University of Florida

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Summary

Jews trying to survive in Poland, on the “Aryan” side, were exposed to permanent risk of detection not so much by the Germans, but by their Polish neighbors, passers-by, officers of the “Blue” police and the ever-present szmalcovnicy (blackmailers). The behavior, cultural and religious codes, speech, aand stereotyped physical characteristics of Jews conspired to make Jewish survival so very unlikely.

Keywords

szmalcovnik blackmail Jews Poland occupation passing “Aryan” side

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of the Holocaust , pp. 233 - 248

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108900447.017 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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