MALKE EPSHTEYN

MALKE EPSHTEYN (1916-March 1943)

            She was born in a village near Khentshin (Chęciny), Kielce district, Poland.  She graduated from a Polish public school and later became a laborer.  Until WWII she lived in Slomnik (Słomniki).  She published poems in: Kleyne folkstsaytung (Little people’s newspaper) and Literarishe bleter (Literary leaves) in Warsaw; and Keltser lebn (Kielce life) and Radomer keltser shtime (Voice of Radom Kielce); among other serials.  For a time she was confined in the Kielce ghetto, and in late 1941 she escaped from there.  She became a leader of a partisan group in the Miechów and Kielce woods.  She was killed during explosions at a German munitions camp near Kielce.

Sources: Information from Pinkhes Shvarts; American Echo (New York) (April 11, 1943).

Khayim Leyb Fuks