ASSOCIATION OFPOLAND INSTITUTE OFTHEJEWISHHISTORICAL Begins Chapter A New

REPORT SPRING 2013 14/04

(FM) Honorable Donors, Dear Friends,

On the front page of this photoreport you can see Nearly five hundred individuals from all the Jewish organizations in and distinguished guests met for the first time at the Museum to celebrate a curve dividing the building of our Museum. As you its inauguration. On this occasion Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich placed the klaf and blessed the Museum’s mezuzah. It is made of an original brick excavated from the former Nalewki Street in the heart of the prewar Jewish quarter in Warsaw. (MS)(KD) know, in the architect’s vision it symbolizes the crossing C M Y K Nxxx,2013-04-19,A,010,Bs-4C,E1

of the Red Sea. With the opening of the building, if you A10 N THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013 will, we have crossed our Red Sea. When we fully open WARSAW JOURNAL New Museum Helps Poland Rebuild a Bridge to Its Jewish Past

Polish society and history. the Museum, i.e. launch the Core Exhibition, we will all From Page A1 “You can’t put the pieces back nation’s victim status after a his- together again, but you can build tory of centuries of conquest, par- bridges,” said Barbara Kirshen- tition and occupation. blatt-Gimblett, a Canadian-born – including the heads of state – set foot in the Promised ethnographer in charge of the Among civic leaders here there is a strong sense that Poland will permanent exhibition. “They’re never fully recover from its 20th- fragile, but you can build them.” century traumas until it recog- Her father left Poland in 1934 at Land. It would not have been possible without you, nizes its Jewish past, and the mu- the age of 17. While working on seum is seen as a major step. the project, she learned to speak “Jewish memory is becoming Polish and acquired Polish citi- part of Polish memory,” the chief zenship last year. dear and honorable Donors. I thank you for this from rabbi, Michael Schudrich, said in Maciej Bulanda, 23, who with an interview at the new Museum his father designed the brick me- of the History of Polish Jews, zuza holder, became interested in “and the building we’re sitting in his Jewish great-grandmother as the bottom of my heart. is the best example of that.” a teenager, learning that she had About 3.3 million Jews lived in three brothers who perished in Poland at the outbreak of World the Holocaust and even finding War II. The last census showed a two of their graves in Lodz. mere 7,508 people identifying “Our parents’ generation did themselves as Jews in 2011, and not have the courage or inclina- that was a leap from the 1,133 who tion or interest to find out about said they were Jews in 2002. that,” Mr. Bulanda said of the Clad in glass panels on the out- growing interest among young side, the museum has a curved Poles in exploring their Jewish passageway inside that runs pasts. “We were brought up in a from front to back, almost like a completely different world.” Marian Turski natural canyon, which the build- That does not mean it is always ing’s architect has compared to easy. The same poll that exam- Chairman of the Museum Council, Vice Chairman of the parted Red Sea. A meticulous ined the question of Jewish ver- recreation of the colorful painted sus Polish suffering found that 61 ceiling of a wooden synagogue is percent of students said they complete, but coiled cables rise “would be unhappy” to learn a the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland from the bare concrete floor, boyfriend or girlfriend was Jew- waiting to be connected to the ish, while 45 percent would rather multimedia displays that have PHOTOGRAPHS BY PIOTR MALECKI FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES not have a Jew in their family. yet to be installed. Michael Schudrich, above, Po- “When you’re 7 years old and Although it chronicles centu- MusMuMususeseumumm off ththet HistoryHistoHi land’s chief rabbi, placing a playing football in the courtyard, ries of Jewish history in Poland, off PPolishPolii h JewsJJewwss mezuza at the Museum of the in a fight you hear people using Left: Waldemar Dąbrowski, Plenipotentiary of the Minister of Culture for thethe museumMuseum was not an exclu- Opening, Dr. Jan Kulczyk, Distinguished Benefactor, BarbaraGypsy or Jew as swear words,” JA History of Polish Jews. Left, a sively Jewish undertaking. The recreated synagogue painting. Mr. Bulanda said. Polish government, Jewish ALEJALEJA 3 MAJA After the museum announced a Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Program Director of the Core Exhibition, Shana Penn,groups Executive and private donors Director of Taube Philanthropies,WarsawWarsaW rsa awPiotr Wiślicki, Chairmandesign of competition for the mezu- worked together to raise roughly depicts women, children and the za, Mr. Bulanda brought up the ROYALYALA VistulaVistuula elderly trudging to their deaths. $100 million. The city provided BAATHSATHS PARKPA K possibility of entering at the fam- the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich,the land free of charge and, Chiefalong Rabbi of Poland. (MS) RiverRivever On the other stand armed fig- ily dinner table. His father, An- with the federal government, BalticB Sea ures, representing the brave but drzej, an architect, had the idea of A doomed fighters of the Warsaw covered the construction costs. ALEJAA A using a brick. POOLAANNDN JOZEFAOZ Right: The symbolic ceremony was covered by the New York Times (Photo: PiotrThe Association Małecki of the Jewish for NYT) KA ghetto uprising, which began on They used old maps of the city BECKAEC Historical Institute of Poland WWarsawaw April 19, 1943. to find where Nalewki Street raised money for the permanent LoLLododzdz When the permanent exhibi- once ran and excavated a spot in tion at the museum is complete, it exhibition, which was not ready 1 MILEM what is now a public park and for this week’s soft opening but will tell the story of the Holo- was once the foundation of No. 10, will be ready next year. THE NEW YORK TIMES caust, as well as the difficult No. 12 or the retaining wall be- chapters in Polish-Jewish rela- tween them. “Economically we are not a percent answered Jews; and 25 poor country anymore,” said Wal- tions, including the murders of Piotr Wislicki, chairman of the percent said Poles. demar Dabrowski, the minister of summer. “When the Jewish na- passionate opposition. Writing in camp survivors after the war and Association of the Jewish Histori- Poles are particularly sensitive culture’s liaison to the museum. tion and the Polish nation, when the leading newspaper, Gazeta the Communist government’s cal Institute, speaking to an audi- “As a society it is healthy to be we are together, when we look in Wyborcza, the Holocaust scholar about the Nazis’ decision to build 1968 anti-Semitic campaign. But ence in the museum’s auditorium morally capable of doing such a the same direction, it is great for Barbara Engelking said, “This is death camps on occupied Polish it also covers the thousand-year after the mezuza was unveiled, A new chapter began on April 14, when the Jewish the official ceremonies guests entered the Museum of thing.” us, great for Poland and great for a small fragment of Warsaw that territory. It was on a visit to War- history of Jews in Poland, from recalled: “When I was a little boy While many significant dona- the world,” said Mr. Kulczyk, belongs to the Jews and that saw in 1970 that Chancellor Willy the shtetls to the cities, from suc- I was afraid to look up when tions came from American organ- whose worldwide holdings in- should not be appropriated.” Brandt of Germany dropped to cessful businessmen to pioneer- someone said the word Jew. I had izations and individuals, Poland’s clude oil, real estate and beer. When 1,250 Warsaw high his knees in front of the Monu- ing Yiddish writers. the urge to run. As a young man I 18/04 richest man, Jan Kulczyk, who is It has not always been easy. A school students were recently ment to the Ghetto Heroes. Organizers and curators repeat only told my close friends, swear- organizations met for the first time at the Museum. On the History of Polish Jews for a special commemorative not Jewish, gave $6.4 million last proposal to build a monument to asked which group suffered more The large black stone and the same phrase over and over ing them to secrecy.” Poles who risked their lives to in the war, Poles or Jews, nearly bronze monument remains a again: “This is a museum of life.” “Today,” Mr. Wislicki said, “I Hanna Kozlowska contributed re- save Jews during the Holocaust half, 44 percent, said the two moving icon of suffering and They hope to remind visitors of am standing in front of you proud that special day the Chief Rabbi of Poland unveiled concert. Performing were the Israel Philharmonic porting. on the same square has provoked groups had suffered equally; 28 martyrdom. On one side, a relief the centrality of Jewish life to to be a Polish Jew.” and blessed the mezuzah that symbolizes new Orchestra Richter String Quartet, the Sinfonia beginnings and new life. Varsovia Orchestra conducted by Krzysztof On April 19, we marked the 70th anniversary of the Penderecki and Henri Seroka, cantor Yaakov Lemmer Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The official ceremonies at and Kayah. In the evening, some four hundred the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes were attended by distinguished guests gathered at the Polish National nearly 2,000 people from all over the world, including Opera for a Shabbat Dinner dedicated to the Poland’s leaders: Bronisław Komorowski, President of Museum’s donors. Prior to the dinner, the Shabbat the Republic of Poland, the Speakers of the and guests listened to a piano concert by Janusz Olejniczak. Senate, and Prime Minister . Also present On April 20, the Museum finally opened its doors to were the President of the European Parliament Martin the public. Visitors were able to admire the breathtaking Schultz and the Mayor of Warsaw Hanna Gronkiewicz- architecture of the building and participate in a Waltz. Delegations from many countries as well wide range of cultural events: concerts, spectacles, as members of the Jewish community, mayors and movies, debates, lectures, meetings with the Survivors representatives of European capitals also gathered at and the Righteous. the monument. Guests of honor included Mr. Simcha This album is an illustration of those moments for those Rotem, nom de guerre Kazik, one of the last living who could not experience them. For all others let it be insurgents of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Following a token of remembrance of those exceptional days. The 70 th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising commemoration began with a gala concert at the Polish National Opera. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by maestro Zubin Mehta was accompanied by violinist Julian Rachlin, Cantor Yaakov Lemmer, and the Jewish Theatre Choir that performed the partisans anthem Zog nit keyn mol [Never say]. (PO) Cover photo: (FM) 2 3 19/04

Simcha “Kazik” Rotem (MS)

Piotr Wiślicki, Cantor Joseph Malovany, Piotr Kadlčik, Distinguished Benefactors: Sigmund A. Rolat and Hon. Tad Taube (TP) Chairman of the Union of the Jewish Communities in Poland (MS)

Piotr Wiślicki, Marian Turski, Chairman to the Museum Council, and Sławomir Różański, Director Journalists from all over the world (FM) of the Association JHI laid a wreath on behalf of the Donors to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. (MS)

Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski, , Simcha “Kazik” Rotem, one of the three living Ghetto Fighters has Minister of Culture and National Heritage (MS) been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta by President of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski. (FM)

Distinguished Benefactors Victor Markowicz and Corinne Evens (BKG) “The spiritual power of the Ghetto Uprising commemoration and the magnificent Museum’s preview continue to be felt by the Taube and Koret Foundation’s 40-person VIP delegation. These two historic events are forever intertwined on this sacred site—symbolic of our collective healing and of a Jewish future in Poland. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will have lasting impact, as these individuals will continue to support the Museum’s vital educational mission.”

Hon. Tad Taube, Taube Philanthropies and Koret Foundation

Cantor Joseph Malovany sings El Male Rachamim during the prayers at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. (MS) Distinguished Benefactors Sigmund A. Rolat, Rick Parasol, Hon. Tad Taube with Olgierd Dziekoński, Minister at the President Chancellery (TP)

4 5 “All of our guests were deeply affected by the commemoration 19/04 of the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and overjoyed by the opening ceremony of the Museum. Numerous events and programs that filled a week of celebrations underscored the principal purpose of the Museum – to cut through the dark veil of the Holocaust and retrieve the gloried past of Polish Jews for contemporary audiences. Most importantly, this moving experience deepened the understanding of NAC’s mission to support the Museum and renewed the

commitment of our donors to future projects. It is our hope Vilja Fussell and Hon. Tad Taube (MS) that private donors in Poland and abroad will join together with us in support of the Museum’s activities and work to sustain it by building an endowment and securing its future.” Sigmund A. Rolat, The North American Council of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Irene Kronhill Pletka, Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York (FM)

From left: Pinchas Gutter, Elżbieta Jassem, Carol Randy Marrus, Michael Marrus, Peter Jassem, Joseph Gottdenker (MS)

“Those three days were unforgettable. The Polish nation represented by its Government and its President showed its respect for the courageous Polish Jews who decided how to die in a desperate and unprecedented situation. All the participants felt the common conviction that we will do anything possible to prevent such horrors from happening again. We will fight against any signs of actions that could result in such an ‘inhumanity of the human mistake’. We won’t allow this to happen in Europe nor anywhere in the world again.” Corinne Evens, The European Association of the Museum After the ceremony at the Monument distinguished guests could visit the Museum. The first post’89 Prime Minister of the History of Polish Jews Tadeusz Mazowiecki receiving a paper daffodil, a symbol of hope and remembrance. (MS) Right: Samuel Pisar, The European Association of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (MS)t

From left: Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski, Bogdan Borusewicz, From right: Shai Piron, Minister of Education of Israel, Rabbi Michael Schudrich Jan Chodakowski, Co-Chairman of the British Committee for the The US Presidential Delegation - Estelle W. Laughlin, Warsaw Ghetto Senate Speaker, Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, President (MS) Support of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (BKG) Survivor, Hon. Stephen D. Mull, US Ambassador to Poland (MS) Bronisław Komorowski, Minister Bogdan Zdrojewski (FM)

6 7 19/04

Rick and Laura Brown, Handshouse Eric Benhamou, Benefactor, and Jasmine Yang Benhamou (TP) Studio (MS) Distinguished Benefactors Corinne Evens, Victor Markowicz, Sigmund A. Rolat and Hon. Tad Taube with the President of the Republic of Poland Bronisław Komorowski at the concert in the Museum’s auditorium (TP)

“I’ve begun to understand the mission of the Museum in a different context than usually - more as a bridge.” “Its importance, its scope and media coverage, awareness that it was one of the most discussed topics those days... The youth distributing the paper daffodils and leaflets... I am moved.” “During those days it was the first time in my life, since leaving Poland in 1968, that I could “confess” without a fear to who I am.” From letters to the Swedish Committee for the Support of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Roman Kent. Treasurer of the Claims Conference, Distinguished Benefactor (MS)

Guests were able to enter the construction site of the Core Exhibition to admire the remarkable painted ceiling of the Gwoździec Synagogue. (FM)

Maria Gruber-Bień, Michał Bron, Katarzyna Gruber, Marta Prochwicz, Co-Chair of the Swedish Zygmunt Stępiński, Deputy Director of the Museum (FM) Committee for the Support of the Museum (FM)

8 9 A tribute to the Ghetto Fighters. The searchlights set up in front of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Warsaw Rising Museum have crossed their beams in the sky over Warsaw. The two museums paid tribute to the Ghetto Fighters, who in some cases joined the Warsaw Uprising the following year. (FM)

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Waldemar Dąbrowski hosted the Shabbat Dinner in honor of the donors at the Polish National Opera. (AD)

Josef Thesing, Chairman of the German Committee for the Support of the Museum (AD)

Dominika Kulczyk-Lubomirska, Jan Lubomirski-Lanckoroński. Second row from right: From left: , Rainer Mahlamäki, architect of the Elżbieta Penderecka, Michael Berkowicz, NAC Treasurer, Bonnie Berkowicz, Roman Kent Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Krystyna Zachwatowicz (AD) (TP)

“Both the commemoration and the Guests at the concert: Piotr Wiślicki, Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Małgorzata Omilanowska, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Culture, Marian Turski, , former President of the European Parliament, Consul Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Museum can be best described as Andrzej Cudak, Acting Director of the Museum (AD) world class. On April 19 Poland stood up to the occasion and remembered the Jewish tragedy with utmost “A most remarkable three days, with respect. But through the magnificent a wealth of wonderful impressions: Museum she also told the world that walking through the completed Mu- this tragedy was preceded by Jewish seum interiors – breathtaking archi- life on her land, life that flourished for tecture, which drew wide admiration; centuries and that made significant the emotionally charged ceremonies, contributions to world civilization.” whose true hero was the man who had taken part in both uprisings – the Peter Jassem, The Canadian Committee for Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and the Support of the Museum of the History of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.” Polish Jews

Jan Chodakowski, The British Committee for Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Irene Kronhill Pletka, Shana Penn and the Support of the Museum of the History of Naomi Wechsler light candles to begin Shabbat. On the left: Rabbi Polish Jews From left: Sigmund A. Rolat, Victor Markowicz, Hon. Tad Taube, Michael Schudrich (AD) Jeffrey Farber, Chief Executive of the Koret Foundation, Distin- guished Benefactor (AD) 12 13 19/04 20,21/04

Sam and Tzipi Tramiel (TP) Richard Horowitz (AD)

From left: Jelena Nissenbaum, Gideon Nissenbaum From left: Alon Redlich and Maciej Witucki, CEO and Beniamin Nissenbaum (AD) Orange, Distinguished Benefactor (AD)

On April 20th and 21st the Museum opened its doors to the public (MS)

Tourists and visitors waited in long lines and filled the square outside the Museum. (MS) Center: Hon. Alexandra Bugailiskis, Ambassador of Canada and MP. Ted Opitz, representing the Canadian The Museum is a bridge between the past, present and future (MS) Minister of Foreign Affairs (AD)

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The installation Tree of Dreams invited visitors to support the Museum by sharing their expectations and dreams (MS)

One of which translates as “Jews [please] return!!!”

Among the first visitors there were also many children. This Museum is especially for them, the future generation (MS)

The support from visitors has been overwhelming (MS)

A do-it-yourself daffodil (MS) First users at the Resource Center in its temporary setting (MS) The family tour program was overbooked! (MS)

16 17 20,21/04 World Headlines

Full audience during the two open screenings and the official movie premiere of “Rotem” (MS)

More than 7,500 visistors flocked to the Museum on the second Open Day (MS) “The Survivors” - another movie premiere that weekend (MS)

The Bund Band concert. A sensational performance WHAT’s NEXT? by the Wojtek Mazolewski Quartet (MS)

The Museum inaugurated its cultural and educa- Marta Wróbel tional activities and continues to develop its rich Fundraising Managing Director The crowds came, even in the evening. The audience watching the spectacle “Memory Maps” (MS) Association of the Jewish Historical Institute program offerings. More information about the Tel: +48 22 47 10 319 program can be found at the Museum’s website Cell: +48 501 221 945 in a brand-new layout. [email protected] www.jewishmuseum.org.pl/en

The Core Exhibition walls and mezzanines separating the individual galleries and individual exhibition areas have been built. Installation and production of the galleries is proceeding in tandem with the process of obtaining digital and original museum artifacts supporting the exhibition Produced by Development Department, AJHI narrative. For complete information on the Designed by Magdalena Estera Łapińska progress of work, please visit the Association’s Photo credits: Andrzej Daniluk (AD), Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett (BKG), website. Franek Mazur (FM), Karolina Dzięciołowska (KD), Magdalena Starowieyska (MS), Marta Wróbel (MW), Andrzej Rojek with family, Benefactor (MW) The cultural program is rich in educational offerings. www.szih.org.pl Paweł Ośka – Polish National Opera (PO), Taube Philantrophies (TP). Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett with Prof. Sam Kassow at his lecture about Emanuel Ringelblum and his underground archive. (MS) 18 19 visitors during the 15,000first two days 50,000paper daffodils volunteers supported 400the commemoration events 1,080pages of press clippings from Polish media only diplomatic delegations at the anniversary 20and the Museum inauguration accredited 700journalists movie viewers of the premieres „Rotem” movie 2and . . . 1,500

year 1,000history of Polish Jews 20