“C’est toute une histoire!” These words echo through time. They belong to Stefa Skurnik a remarkable woman whose life story is interwoven with the very fabric of this Parisian alley. This is Allée Stefa-Skurnik. We stand where her legacy lives on.
Born Rivka Lemberger in 1917 in Poland Stefa’s early life was marked by activism. Her father a baker was a founding member of the Polish Communist Party. Following in his footsteps young Rivka organized a factory strike at just 18. This act led her to flee Poland in 1936. She sought refuge in Paris with relatives.
Paris became her new home. She lived in the 11th arrondissement initially with her uncle. Later her parents and siblings joined her. Here she met her husband Menesze Skurnik another activist. They married in 1939. The couple had two children Paulette and Norbert. The latter’s name honored Rivka’s brother Norbert who was executed by the Germans in 1943.
During the German occupation Stefa joined the French Resistance. Under the alias Stefa she worked as a courier. She bravely transported messages and money across the Parisian region. She risked her life for the cause. She evaded capture throughout the war.
After the war Stefa continued her passionate activism. She led several Jewish organizations. She was president of the Union of Jewish Societies of France. She also headed the Warsaw and Environs Amicale. Her dedication earned her the Legion of Honor in 1998. She passed away in 2014.
This alley named in her honor stands as a testament to Stefa Skurnik’s extraordinary life. It is a small tribute to a remarkable woman. A woman who defied danger for freedom. A woman who dedicated her life to social justice. Her story whispered on the Parisian breeze. It echoes in every cobblestone beneath our feet. Let us remember Stefa Skurnik her courage her resilience. Her unwavering spirit.