Born: 1915 (Bedzin, Poland)
Died: 1945 (Birkenau, Auschwitz)
Biography:
Regina Safirsztajn (1915-1945) was a Jewish resistance fighter who played a significant role in the Auschwitz underground and the Sonderkommando revolt of 7 October 1944. Her courageous actions and unwavering determination make her a remarkable figure in the history of the Holocaust.
Regina was born in 1915 in the town of Bedzin, Poland, to Josef and Roza Safirsztajn. Her father operated a restaurant and bar in their home, and Regina was the seventh of their eight children. Growing up, Regina and her siblings attended Polish schools and spoke Yiddish at home, embracing their Jewish heritage.
Tragically, the Safirsztajn family’s lives were upended when they were forced into the Bedzin ghetto. The only family member not present in the ghetto was Mordechai, who had emigrated to the United States. Sadly, Regina’s father passed away from a heart attack in the ghetto, and her mother had already died prior to their time there. During this tumultuous period, Regina also experienced personal loss when her husband, Josef Szaintal, died shortly after their marriage.
In August 1943, Regina and her sister, along with their sisters-in-law and their children, were deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. Upon arrival, the family was subjected to immediate separation, with most members being mercilessly murdered. Only a few, including Regina, were chosen for forced labor. Regina was assigned to work in the Weichsel-Union-Metalwerke, also known as the Union Munitions Plant, where she served as a forewoman in the gunpowder room.
It was within the confines of the munitions plant that Regina’s resistance spirit ignited. Alongside fellow prisoners, such as Ala Gertner, Ester and Anna Wajcblum, and Rose Grunapfel Meth, Regina participated in smuggling gunpowder out of the factory. These women risked their lives to provide this vital material to the resistance fighter Roza Robota, who worked in the clothing-detail department in Birkenau. Roza, in turn, transferred the gunpowder to the Sonderkommando, a group of prisoners who were compelled to dispose of gas chamber victims in the crematoriums.
On 7 October 1944, the Sonderkommandos used the smuggled gunpowder to detonate crematorium IV in Birkenau, marking a significant act of defiance against their captors. However, the repercussions were severe. Regina, Ala, Ester, and Roza were apprehended and subjected to brutal torture for their involvement in the plot. Their bravery and commitment to resistance came at an enormous cost.
Sadly, on 5 January 1945, Regina and her fellow female resistance fighters were publicly hanged in Birkenau. Their sacrifice was not in vain, as their actions inspired others and exemplified the unyielding spirit of resistance against Nazi tyranny.
Regina’s only surviving family members were her brother Mordechai, who had managed to emigrate to the United States before the war, and her niece, Rose Rechnic (Roza Ickowicz). Their survival serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable evil.
Regina Safirsztajn’s bravery and selflessness during the Holocaust stand as a testament to the power of resistance and the inherent worth of every human life. Her unwavering defiance against the Nazis and her determination to fight for justice make her an extraordinary figure in women’s history and an inspiration to future generations.