Korczak penned several letters expressing his desire to leave Poland and move to the Land of Israel.

In the last letter, dated August 22, 1939, to Zrubavel Gilad (in the middle of this photograph), which was written just one week before WWII started, Korczak wrote: I don't want you to write back because I'll see you soon.

Korczak penned several letters expressing his desire to leave Poland and move to the Land of Israel. In 1937 he wrote:

“I have made a decision: I would like to live out my final years in the Land of Israel, for the time being in Jerusalem. There I will learn the Hebrew language to move to a kibbutz after a year.”

In a conversation with Zrubavel Gilad in 1938 Korczak said about moving to Israel:

"We have a beautiful autumn this year in Poland, there is nothing like in Palestine! But if I could go there with all my children, I would be happy! This, my friend, is the case."

Zrubavel Gilad, an Israeli author and poet, visited Korczak´s orphanage in Poland in 1938-1939 where he had the chance to experience the unique atmosphere the doctor had created for the young orphans: 

“When we entered the home we were greeted by loud cheers from the joyful children- the standard exuberant welcome for the beloved doctor,”

In the last letter, dated 22 August 1939 to Zrubavel Gilad, written one week before WWII started, Korczak wrote:

I don't want you to write me back because I'll see you soon -

Korczak's words, I don't want you to write back because I'll see you soon, meant he was on his way! However, WWII started on September 1, 1939, and Korczak remained in Poland and actually moved to the orphanage Dom Sierot.

In the last letter, dated August 22, 1939, to Zrubavel Gilad (in the middle of this photograph), which was written just one week before WWII started, Korczak wrote: I don't want you to write me back because I'll see you soon -

Zrubbavel Gilad - Zerubawel Gilead spent two years in Warsaw 1937-38 and became a close friend to Janusz Korczak and Cywia Lubetkin. Thanks to Zerubawel Gilead, a description of Korczak's apartment from that period has been preserved:

"You can enter the small house at 8 Złota Street by climbing the wooden stairs. The door is opened, as usual, by the Doctor's sister (...). In Korczak's room, there is a simple desk, an old wooden sofa, and a wardrobe full of books. There is only one painting on the wall - a painting of his mother."