Alabusheva-Brandt Maria

During the German occupation of the city of Mariupol widow Maria Alabusheva-Brandt, with a risk for her own life, saved a Jewish girl Iryna Karpovych.

Occupation of the city lasted for 23 months: from October, 23 of 1941 till September, 10 of 1943. For 16 months the city near the Sea of Azov was in the frontline zone. During the full-scale battles with the usage of artillery and military aviation, the citizens of Mariupol felt what does the word “war” means.

Germans launched their repressive policy in the city during the first days of the occupation.

For a few days, all the Jewish citizens were gathered in soldier’s barracks under the promise of deportation to Palestine.   They were ordered to gather on the Apatov’s street. It was the death penalty for disobeying the order. Of course, the deportation to Palestine was not in German plans. The condemned were directed to the village of Ahrobaza. On the movement to this location, Germans were killing those who were not able to move fast – old and exhausted people. The number of local Jews killed on that day is still unknown, but there were thousands.

Maria Alabusheva-Brandt decided to support her Jewish neighbors, the family of Zaslavskyis, on their way to the gathering point. She also promised to take care of their 6-year-old granddaughter Iryna Karpovych.

Iryna spent only one night at Maria’s house. On the next day, the woman took her to the gathering point because Iryna’s name was also on the list of Jewish citizens. On October 20, when columns of Jews started walking toward the Ahrobaza village, Iryna’s grandfather convinced the German officer that Iryna wasn’t Jewish. The Germans let Iryna stay in the city, but only under the purpose of her identification. On the same day, Iryna came to Maria Alabusheva-Brandt and woman sheltered her. For six months Maria and Iryna lived together as mother and daughter. That was their legend. The German officer who lived in Maria’s house since November of 1941, not only believed in this legend but also liked Iryna very much.

When the anti-Jewish raids in the city more frequent, Maria was forced to bring Iryna to the local orphanage under the fictional name. But even after that, she was still supporting Iryna, bringing her food and teaching her how to behave li a Christian.

For all this time, Iryna’s mother was in the Red Army. After the end of the war, she returned and found her daughter. The saved and savior lived near each other for many post-war years.

On July 21, 1997, Yad Vashem named Maria Alabusheva-Brand the “Righteous Among the Nations”.