the Bilecki family and Jewish survivors lived. Post-war activities After the Podhajce Jews were liberated on March 27, 1944, Julian's cousin Roman emigrated to the US while Julian himself remained in Europe. Over the years, the survivors sent packages of food and clothing to the Bilecki family, who had remained poor in Ukraine, and the Bileckis and survivors corresponded through letters. In 1998, half a century later, Julian Bilecki (by then a retired bus driver) and his son Jaroslav flew to New York City with help from the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, where he was reunited with 5 survivors at the JFK airport terminal. The director of the Foundation, Ms. Stahl, reports Julian to have said tearfully on meeting the survivors "I see you all have gray hair. I too have gray hair. I thought I would never see you again. I feel lost. I thought this would never happen. All I did was help. It is very pleasant that people remember. Now I am getting paid back by God". The survivors arranged for the family to be honored as Righteous Gentiles by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The Bliecki family, including Julian, received the Righteous Among the Nations distinction in 1990 (with two extended family members recognized in 1996). List of those saved by Bilecki and his family Hershko Grau Shake Zisser Three Rozman sisters Ridkis family Feldberg family Chaim Weintraub, pharmacist Izio Loeb Mina Blumenfield Sabina Schinster Three Zilber siblings Gilta Fink External links Julian Bilecki – his activity to save Jews' lives during the Holocaust, at Yad Vashem website "Pole, 70, Reunited With Jews He Saved", New York Times, December 10, 1998 "Holocaust survivor owes her life to 'righteous gentile'", CNN, December 31, 1998 References Polish Righteous Among the Nations 2007 deaths 1928 births