Given name: Józef Family name: Gitler (Barski)

Studies in Munich. Deported from Munich in 1919 due to his participation in the revolutionary struggles in Germany. After his return to Poland in 1922 he held managerial positions in the Joint (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) and in the Centos (the Central Organization for Orphan Care). In the latter, he was the manager of the bookkeeping department. He was a member of the Communist Party of Poland (KPP) since 1923. Arrested twice for his communist activity. Together with Berman in the ghetto - the manager of the Centos (the Central Organisation for Orphan Care). The co-founder of the Polish Workers' Party (PPR) in the Warsaw Ghetto. Member of the Commission to Feed Children of the Centos (actually it was a secret teaching commission). He was one of the leading activists of Care of Children and Young People Department of the ZSS. Member of the Society of Friends of the Soviet Union. In the first week of August 1942, he managed to rescue Maria Rotblat and foster children of the dormitory at Twarda Street No. 27 from the Umschlagplatz. In August 1942 he lived at Lubeckiego Street No. 4. Then in Muranowska Street. In mid-December 1942 he was present at Brandt's inspection of the orphanage at Dzika Street No. 3. In February 1943 he crossed to the 'Aryan side' with his wife and child. From February 1943 to July 1943 they were hiding at Wilenska Street No. 19, then at Grajewska Street No. 2. At the end of July they had to leave the hideout. They went to the hotel in Dluga Street. All three of them were deported to Bergen-Belsen. They survived the war. The editor of a secret camp newspaper 'Tramwaj'. He was writing a camp diary. After the war Central Jewish Committee activist. 1950-1953 the chief executive of the PKO bank, then the executive of many industrial plants. (22 July). Jewish Historical Institute chairman.