Leon Leyson: The youngest survivor of Schindler’s List

For The Madera Tribune

Leon Leyson.

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The trio raced for their favorite vine among the tangle of climbers that twisted over the river bank. Leon got there first and swung out across the water. Reaching the end of nature’s rope, he let go and dropped into the churning river. His two buddies followed right behind, and all swam for the bank for another airborne adventure.

The little river that flowed on the outskirts of Narewka was not one of Poland’s major waterways, but to the children of the village, it meant freedom from boredom throughout the year. There was swimming in the summer and ice-skating in the winter.

Leon Leyson was born at home just a short distance from the river on Sept. 15, 1929. His family was joined in celebrating his birth by a large number of fellow Jews from the synagogue. Narewka was in northeastern Poland. It had about 2,000 residents, half of whom were Jews.