Helena Reunites with Her Sister after Surviving the Holocaust

When the Nazi regime invaded Poland in 1939 and World War II began, Helena and Barbara found themselves caught in a frightening, war-torn world.

The sisters were no strangers to challenges. After losing their mother at a young age, the pair had grown up in a Catholic orphanage in Warsaw. They found strength in their bond and always found a way to be happy in each other’s company.

But by the time they were teenagers, Helena and Barbara’s lives changed dramatically under Germany’s occupation of Poland.

It was a difficult time. “I was really lost; most of the time, I was scared,” Helena recalled. And while her days were full of fear, most nights also ended in hunger.

In 1944, Helena was 20 years old when she was sent to a labor camp in Germany. “I didn’t even have a chance to tell my sister that I had been abducted,” Helena shared.

Helena was alone and did not know what had happened to Barbara, who was 16 years old. Despite her tremendous hardships in Germany, she never lost hope and kept Barbara close to her heart.

When American soldiers liberated her work camp, Helena stayed in Germany and searched endlessly for her sister. “I didn’t know whether she was alive or dead for three years,” she shared.

But, in 1947, Barbara and Helena miraculously found each other—and their unbreakable bond was stronger than ever.

Ready for a new life, they decided to move to America, ready to move forward and leave their complicated past behind. Different opportunities to find sponsorship and build new lives took them apart once more. Helena and her husband moved to Connecticut, while Barbara and her husband moved to New Jersey.

But Helena could not entirely leave the past behind her. She channeled her experiences into compassion for others and supported fellow Polish immigrant families in Connecticut. She and her husband helped others find housing and jobs. “We gave what we could, from clothing and household goods to food and money when needed,” she said.

Their acts of kindness created lasting bonds and a sense of community among those who had also left everything behind to start afresh. Helena’s deep bond with Barbara remained strong—throughout the years, she and Barbara visited each other and kept in touch as much as possible.

At age 100, Helena’s declining health and life circumstances have made traveling to see her sister extremely challenging. “I was very sad every time we talked because we were hopeless that we would ever see each other,” she explained.

More than anything, Helena dreamed of reuniting with Barbara to spend meaningful time in person—possibly for the last time. Five years have passed since the sisters were together in person.

When we heard Helena and Barbara’s incredible tale of resiliency and sisterhood, we knew we had to seize the opportunity to help them reunite.

Helena could hardly contain her joy when Helena heard that her wish would be granted.

“Being with my sister would make my heart sing,” she said. “To be able to spend a few days with one another would be the greatest gift of all!”

Accompanied by her daughter Helen, Helena made the brave journey to New Jersey from her home in Montana to reconnect with Barbara. Finally reunited, they were overjoyed to be together once again.

During Helena’s visit, the Wish of a Lifetime team surprised the sisters with a particular framed photograph from 1976. Depicted are two beautiful, courageous young women who had just returned to Poland for the first time since WWII.

Looking at the picture, Barbara and Helena were reminded of the enduring power of love and family, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Helena, age 100, and Barbara, age 96, treasured every moment of their heartfelt reunion. Without knowing when they might meet again, this time together was absolutely precious to them.

Helen, Helena’s daughter, shared how meaningful it was to see her mother and aunt connect once again.

“She was afraid she wasn’t able to do it, but she did. She went through all the emotions on the trip. She is a very strong person and rose to the occasion,” Helen said.

“Everything was perfect,” Helena said of their sweet reunion. Barbara also expressed deep gratitude for this chance to connect with her sister.

“I was very, very happy,” she said. “At our age, you have to say goodbye. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”