Recollections in Color: The Story of Aviva Blum-Wachs

"Aviva Blum-Wachs was born in Warsaw in 1932 to Abrasza and Luba Blum. Abrasza was a leader in the Bund and Luba was the deputy director of a nursing school. When the ghetto was established in the city, the Blum family was imprisoned there.

Aviva's mother managed to save her children and other Jews during two deportations in the summer of 1942 and January 1943. Following the latter, Abrasza and Luba decided to smuggle their children to the Aryan side. Aviva was taken to Aurelia Borkowska, who was later recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. However, after Aviva's hiding place was disclosed, she was moved from place to place for several months. Her brother Olek remained with relatives of Borkowska until the end of the war.

Aviva and her mother later fled to a hiding place in southern Poland. After the liberation in January 1945, they reunited with Olek in Warsaw. The three moved to the children's home in Otwock, where Luba served as manager.
Aviva left the children's home in 1948 and attended a school in Warsaw. In 1950 she immigrated to Israel.

Aviva is an artist. Her works have been exhibited in Israel and around the world and have garnered awards.

Aviva has a daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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