Etingin — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

Before the war, Albert Etingin, a resident of Vilna had business connections with Boleslaw and Jozefa Boratynski and helped them out when they ran into severe financial difficulties.  After the Germans occupied Vilna, Etingin, Sonia, his wife and their two sons, Maks (16) and Henry (13) were imprisoned in the Vilna Ghetto. Even though the Jews were in detention during the occupation, Boratynski inquired after the fate of the Etingins and sent a message to Etingin that he and his wife would be prepared to shelter the four members of the family in their home. Despite his parents' objections to such a risky venture, he prepared a hiding place for the family in the cellar. Subsequently he dug a large pit in his garden where the family hid. The Boratynskis did this in gratitude to Albert Etingin who had saved them from financial ruin. They brought them food every day and cleaned out the excrement from the hiding place, without expecting anything in return. After the war, the Etingins emigrated to the USA but maintained contact with the Boratynskis and even invited them to come and stay with them.

On the 11^th of February, 1992 Yad Vashem recognized Jozefa and Boleslaw Boratynski as Righteous among the Nations.

 Translated from: 21 Biographies .Leah Preis/Yad Vashem.