Book on the Righteous - Jevrejska opština Zemun

Righteous Among The Nations - Serbia
Stories About The Righteous
raid when thousands of people had been thrown into the
ice-covered Danube, just because they were Jews or enemies
of the regime. He quieted the prisoners down and
hid them as best he could. That day some twenty Jews
from the line heading toward Crvenka
found shelter in the hospital. One of
those who had run from the line into
the hospital yard was György Shapiro.
However, he was detected by the sentries
guarding the line of labourers and
they rushed after him. A captive once
again, György could not be treated.
The ensuing search of the hospital
premises proved fruitless. The other
fugitives were not discovered.
Only a few staff members remained
in the hospital since the majority had
fled when it became apparent that
the Germans were retreating. Dušan
administered first aid to the worn out
and sore-ridden slave labourers. Ester
Kish, a trained nurse employed in the
department for contagious diseases,
came to his assistance. They procured
food and medicine for the emaciated Jews and tended to
their wounds in utter secrecy. They were still in doubt
as to the possibility of Hitler’s wrath catching up with
them for harbouring Jews. Years later, Ester spoke of
how, in those times, she” …had worked with people
who had survived Nazi revenge. Keeping a secret was
valued more than gold.” In the early morning of October
7 th , 1944, just as the labourers who had received treatment
were being hidden in various basements, Dušan
was informed that another group of inmates from Bor
would soon be reaching Novi Sad. He was prepared to
once again hide all those who had the strength to seek
shelter inside the hospital. However, the second group
never reached Novi Sad. Partisan units had cut off Gerheading
back for Hungary, was in one group of the line
of prisoners. However, not all the captives were that
gullible. Some of them reasoned that it was the last moment
to escape and decided to seek shelter in the Novi
Sad hospital.
Pal Rosenzweig was in the line passing
by the hospital. His feet were
badly infected and he could barely
walk. He had not been able to take off
his old boots for days because of his
swollen feet. A young man was standing
in front of the widely opened hospital
side gate for horse-drawn carts.
As Pal approached him, he heard the
man speak to him in Hungarian. The
voice was quiet, but firm. ”Don’t look
up, just walk in. It’s safe. Hurry up.”
Pal entered the hospital yard and the
young man took him directly to the
basement of the old hospital building.
The man’s name was Dušan Jovanović
and he was one of the four medical
students who worked in the Novi Sad
hospital during the war. Pal received
therapeutic treatment immediately. Without any anaesthetics,
the sores on his feet were cut open and cleaned,
preventing further infection. Pal was saved.
Dušan Jovanović provided shelter for all the prisoners
who resolutely ventured through the hospital side
entrance and made a run for the hospital buildings. He
directed them to the basement of the building housing
the clinic for ear, throat and nose treatment. The labourers’
attempts to explain how they had come to the
hospital hoping to find remedy for their sore feet were
unnecessary. No clarification was needed, Dušan was
fully aware of what was taking place. Over the years he
had repeatedly heard the words “You are so lucky that
you are not a Jew” and distinctly remembered the 1942
Dušan Jovanović
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