No. 23 November 2010 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture Magazine, No

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no. 23 november 2010 oś—oświęcim, People, history, culture magazine, no. 23, november 2010

EDITORIAL BOARD: oś—oświęcim, People, history, culture magazine ediTorial

November is the month during which In the November Oś, you will also tions of a participant of the program we commemorate two sad anniversa- fi nd information about online courses Why do we need tolerance? ries. November 22, 1940 the fi rst ex- prepared by the International Center We also draw your attention to a pho- ecution by fi ring squad was held in for Education about Auschwitz and to report from the Way of the Cross at

Auschwitz. A year later, November the Holocaust, an article devoted to the site of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau 11—Polish Independence Day—the the visit of students and professors former concentration camp. editor: Germans held executions at the Death from Voronezh at the Center for Dia- Paweł Sawicki Wall in the courtyard of Block 11 us- logue and Prayer, and a report from Paweł Sawicki editorial secretary: ing a silenced small caliber weapon. the Polish-German seminar intended Editor-in-chief [email protected] Agnieszka Juskowiak-Sawicka We are able to recount these events for organizers of study visits to me- editorial board: now through the testimony of wit- morial sites . The pages dedicated to Bartosz Bartyzel Wiktor Boberek nesses as well as archival documents. the Jewish Center include the refl ec- Jarek Mensfelt Olga Onyszkiewicz Jadwiga Pinderska-Lech Artur Szyndler columnist: a gallerY of The 20Th cenTurY Mirosław Ganobis design and layout: For the second time in this veloped in gloom seemed to up with a sudden wonder- er, it ‘emitted’ its program. It Agnieszka Matuła, Grafi kon publication, I am resubmit- emanate. The memory of the ing fear. Did anyone get lost was turned on somehow or Translations: ting a text that I have pub- fact that these buildings, con- in one of those huge halls, it was by some miracle that David R. Kennedy lished in print. This time it sisting of their vast and ex- on one of the fl oors, corri- it issued this overwhelming, Proofreading: is from the article written a pansive halls and corridors, dors, stairways—and is hor- mysterious requiem! Beata Kłos few years ago and published were used during the War as rifyingly begging for help? The calendar hanging on the cover: in “Gazeta Krakowska.” I do a part of a Nazi death camp That’s impossible! Certainly wall indicated that it was the Paweł Sawicki not do so because of a lack did not fade. That it was here no one is or can be here! This third day of November, the Photographer: of current topics—there are that the prisoners sent in the appalling croon cannot be in fi nal night of All Souls’ Day. Paweł Sawicki more than enough of them: fi rst transport to Auschwitz this place and time, and it has Someone may have wanted from yesterday, today, and were housed for a time. That no trace of human character! to let us know that they are those that will appear to- here they had to accept the So what is it? The explosion currently here. Perhaps some morrow! But some things suffering and humiliation, of the sudden noise did not energy or bio-accumulation PubliSher: from the past, some events that they died, were killed... last long, maybe a quarter of inside the building consisting and places where they have Our responsibilities: the shift a minute—and then all was of a tragic origin years ago, Auschwitz-Birkenau occurred, still seem to have foreman and me, his assist- still. After a brief shock and the atoms of pain and de- State Museum a subjective and emotional ant and a helper, included subconscious fear, we recov- spair that exploded, running, value. watching over the correct- ered the quality of our logical fi red the energy for the sud- www.auschwitz.org.pl “In the mid-60s, of the cen- ness of the technological thinking and ability to clearly den emotion that very night. tury leaving us, I happened process of fermentation and, assess facts. Maybe it was our own emo- to be employed for some if necessary, interfering in It was the internal speakers tions, even unconscious, that PArTnerS: time—more out of curiosity this process. The foreman, system of the internal inter- detonated ‘an explosion of than need—at the Tobacco after completing his manda- com installation hanging in time’ at that moment, the cry Jewish Industry Plant located in our tory duties took a little nap, the halls, it was the factory’s of the past?... The magic and Center city, commonly called Mo- knowing that I will stand by central broadcasting center mysticism, parapsychology www.ajcf.pl nopol. In huge fermentation all the time, alert and ready, that ‘transmitted’ this amaz- and surrealism, or perhaps chambers, on all fl oors of a while reading something or ing program in the middle of an acoustic, technological cu- large building, the fermenta- doing, at this point and time the night, a concert of a cry riosity? And the coincidence tion of fresh tobacco leaves not completely necessary, and wail—without human of the events with the time Center for Dialogue was taking place. In the great writing. And so we passed inspiration, without anyone’s in which they occurred—All and Prayer halls at night, in the dark and the night hours in a small participation. Broadcasting Souls Day—a thing entirely Foundation light buzz of electric mo- guard booth! system’s room was locked coincidental. www.centrum-dialogu.oswiecim.pl tors, one could wander end- But this night was different! and sealed, and of course, Often, after many years, we lessly—the pungent smell of Out of the silence that sur- at this time there could not talked about this with Fore- fresh tobacco, rusty dust of rounded us, there was a sud- have been anyone inside. An man Franciszek, still not crushed tobacco leaves, and den scream, sob, painful yelp inspection of this place the knowing anything and not International Youth the smell of tobacco on my that emanated from an unde- next day confi rmed the ex- understanding. Now he may Meeting Center clothes and hair. This was fi ned location. A hoarse wail- isting state of affairs: the de- know everything on the oth- quite a mysterious and slight- ing lament—neither a song vice transmitting equipment er side of all understanding www.mdsm.pl ly incredible sight, where nor a repeated piercing cry had the dust cover intact, as and knowledge…” every dark corner seemed to that echoed in the high vaults the broadcasting center had crawl with moving shadows, of the halls in the middle of not been working for a long Andrzej Winogrodzki in cooPerATion where an aura of mystery en- the night! We were caught time! But this night, howev- WITH:

Kasztelania www.kasztelania.pl

State Higher Vocational School in Oświęcim www.pwsz-oswiecim.pl editorial address: „Oś – Oświęcim, Ludzie, Historia, Kultura” Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 20 32-603 Oświęcim e-mail: [email protected] Photo: A-bSM The buildings of the former Tobacco Monopoly. Photograph taken during the war

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Digital Memorial Monument: Names of Deportees to Auschwitz from the Lublin Area

he Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum has posted on its website the names of Poles from Lublin deported by the Na- Tzis to the Nazi German Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. The database is more than a valuable source of historical information; it is also a monument to the memory of people whose lives were tragically scarred by Auschwitz.

“This time, we are giving all ing electronic access to data als, the daily prisoner count interested parties access to from the districts of Warsaw books, and the records of data on about seven thousand (twenty-six thousand names), the so-called camp hospitals. Auschwitz prisoners deported Cracow (eighteen thousand), from the Lublin District. The Radom (sixteen thousand), The Digital Repository now data is based on the Memorial and Lublin (eighteen thou- contains over 650 thousand Book about deportees from sand),” said Antończyk. discrete records. In many Lublin and other localities in cases they consist only of the the Lublin area, published last At present, there is access at prisoner number, without the year by the Museum,” said www.auschwitz.org.pl to a name or date of birth. This Krzysztof Antończyk, head database with information on makes identification a long, of the Auschwitz Museum about 180 thousand Ausch- painstaking process. In com- Digital Repository. “We have witz prisoners registered by ing years, there will be Internet thus completed a project to the Germans. The information access to an enriched range of memorialize Polish men and comes from more than seven- documents currently under- women sent to Auschwitz by ty archival groups of original going analysis by archivists the German Security Police German records including the and documentation specialists and Security Service from “death books,” the record book at the Auschwitz Memorial. the four occupation districts of the Zigeunerfamilienlager of the General Government. (the so-called “Gypsy family 2bart At present, we are offer- camp”), the lists of new arriv-

Excerpt from a memoir by Stanisław To maszew ski, prisoner no. 72239, describing his arrival in Auschwitz and his first day in the camp:

“They opened the doors of the train car. The blood-curdling screams of the SS men, the vi- Photo: Tomasz Pielesz cious barking of the dogs, the sound of blows from the clubs wielded by the henchmen who The digital repository servers were prisoner functionaries who had come from the camp and the rifle butts of the SS es- cort, the aggressive growling of the dogs that jumped on us and tore away chunks of our clothing and flesh. Groans, weeping, prayers, curses, and the blinding glare of the spotlights An Appeal playing over us—this was the setting for ‘disembarkation’ on the ramp at Auschwitz. Lined up in rows of five, hounded by the dogs, we were pushed and shoved through the gate of Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the authors of the the camp. The camp was still asleep. We stood, waiting. We were not allowed to sit down. Memorial Books, it has not yet been possible to establish the There was great uncertainty over what would come next. Would we go to the showers or names of everyone deported to Auschwitz. We are there- to the gas chamber? I read the inscription over the camp gate—Arbeit macht frei—for the fore addressing an appeal to former prisoners, their rela- second and the tenth time, while alternately praying and thinking about how to get out of tives, and all other persons who are in possession of camp there. The gong sounded, the signal for the camp to wake up. Lights went on in the bar- documents—letters, death certificates, telegrams with death racks. An incredible uproar arose and we heard voices shouting commands in German, notifications, or receipts for the mailing of parcels—to sub- curses, and cries. Prisoners came running out of the blocks. Within a short time, a deathly mit these documents (or copies of them) to the Museum ar- silence fell and we could hear only brief reports in German. I understood them. The Block- chives. Postwar materials or any other information making führers were informing the Rapportführer about the number of prisoners in their blocks. it possible to commemorate the greatest possible numbers After a moment, there were shouts and commotion once again, and calls to form up into of Auschwitz prisoners and victims are also valuable to us. labor kommandos (groups). I could not believe my ears—an orchestra was playing a march.” The Lublin Memorial Book Excerpt from a memoir by Ernestyna Bonarek, in camp under the name Lassok, describing her arrival: Księga Pamięci. Transporty Polaków do KL Auschwitz z Lublina i innych miejscowości ”The boxcar, with 68 women prisoners from Lublin Castle crowded inside, stopped at Lubelszczyzny 1940-1944 some station. One of the women looked out through the tiny peephole. ‘Oświęcim,’ she [Memorial book: transports cried, fainted, and fell to the floor. A moment later, they unlocked the train car. From all of Poles to Auschwitz from directions we heard the shouts of the SS men, bellowing: Raus!. They lined us up in rows Lublin and other localities of five. The stronger women supported the weaker. Spotlights illuminated the area... in the Lublin area 1940-1944, They herded us somewhere in the darkness of night. Our procession lasted for perhaps in Polish] was published in half an hour, before we saw new barbed wire, guard towers, and a gate with the inscrip- 2009. The Lublin District was tion Arbeit macht frei. After passing through it, I had the impression that I had entered a intended to play the role of vast cemetery where living beings, no longer bearing much resemblance to people, were the “agricultural backbone being buried. ‘We’re not going to get out of here,’ I told my sister. I immediately regretted of the General Government” having done so, because she trembled at the words and clutched my hand tightly. We and the extensive territory of walked along the main road through the middle of the camp. Around us was deathly the Zamość region was des- silence. The disturbing odor of burned human bodies hung in the air. At the far end of the ignated for German settlers. camp, next to the barbed wire that marked off a sector of the men’s camp, stood the long Under this policy, the Nazis building known as the ‘sauna.’ They forced us inside. It was dimly lighted. We had trou- deported 7,199 Polish men ble recognizing each other. All around us was silence. They left us alone. Mortal dread and women to Auschwitz appeared on every face. Each of us was asking herself the same question: What’s going to from this area. The book was happen to us? Is life in these conditions possible? Will they keep us alive, or kill us?” launched at Lublin Castle.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010

The Significance of Education about Auschwitz: The Program Board of the ICEAH Meets

he Program Board of the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust has met Tat the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Photo: B artosz artyzel ICEAH Council meeting

Members of the Board make things easier for the Center for Education about education about Auschwitz ence for them, which made heard a report on the Cent- more than one million peo- Auschwitz and the Holo- in the process of forming the an impact on their attitudes, er’s work over the past year. ple who come each year to caust is also confronted by attitudes of young people. morality, values, and the There was much discussion see the authentic site of the this challenge,” said Dr. “Historians are concerned way they see the world. of the innovative education- Nazi German Auschwitz Piotr Trojański, academic with gathering facts, while That’s our job,” said Dorit al programs addressed to concentration camp and ex- advisor to the ICEAH and a education gives them mean- Novak of the Yad Vashem inmates of penal institutions termination center. lecturer at the Pedagogical ing. Our goal is for people Institute in Jerusalem. in Małopolska and Silesia, University in Cracow. who visit this place to be and to people with learning There was also discussion Members of the Board able to say years later that pasa/jarmen disabilities. The Board also of the degree to which the stressed the significance of it was an important experi- listened to an overview of ICEAH should expand its the e-learning platform that efforts to cover the subjects is being prepared. Testing of genocide, violations of of the first six Internet les- human rights, and the pre- sons will begin this year. vention of crimes against humanity. “There is a ten- Auschwitz Museum Direc- dency to downplay educator Dr. Piotr M.A. Cywiński tion about the Holocaust outlined the new introduc- in favor of the prevention tory exhibition and plans of genocide and crimes for the new visitor service against humanity or human center that is intended to rights. The International

MemBers of the Program Board

Stefan Wilkanowicz — Chairman Prof. Jonathan Webber — Deputy Chairman Dr Piotr M.A. Cywiński — Deputy Chairman Dr hab. Barbara Engelking-Boni Dr Gideon Greif Dr Piotr Paziński Dr Wolf Kaiser Serge Klarsfeld

Dorit Novak Photo: B artosz artyzel Marcello Pezzetti ICEAH Council meeting

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010 Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Education through the Internet at the ICEAH

he International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust has started a pilot educational Internet program, using Tan e-learning platform. Online courses will be dedicated to the history of the Holocaust as well as elementary topics relating to the history of Auschwitz. Taking part in the program will be free of charge. The section devoted to the with the history of Ausch- ments of testimony from history of the Holocaust witz will consist of four former prisoners, photo- will be divided into two les- lessons: “The expansion of graphs and archival docu- sons: “Holocaust: problems Auschwitz during the years ments, examples of art made of terminology and inter- 1940-44,” “Living condi- within the camp, as well as pretation,” as well as “Anti- tions within the Auschwitz educational exercises. Spe- Judaism and anti-Semitism: Concentration Camps,” cialists from the Auschwitz- the events that led to the “Groups of prisoners within Birkenau State Museum and Shoah.” The second part of the Auschwitz Concentra- the Pedagogical University the Internet course about tion Camp,” as well as “The in Cracow are the authors the history of genocide is set SS Garrison.” of the project. The pilot pro- to start next year. The lessons consist of a his- gram has started November Photo: A– B SM The topic section dealing torical introduction, frag- 25, 2010. A plan of the Auschwitz Camp To take part in the project, we invite all those who are Plus” [Education Plus] as Birkenau Museum’s own interested, and especially: well as from the Auschwitz- resources. agjus teachers, students, and pupils of post-middle schools. The e-learning platform is an informational system that Taking part in the pilot pro- is supplied with tools that are to serve to organize the gram is free of charge. educational process that will provide for a high level of interactivity by the user. With the help of the elements The project is being con- that make up the system, we can prepare, collect, and ducted under the auspices provide educational materials, moderate discussions, of the Ministry of Culture organize work in groups, as well as keep statistics and and National Heritage pro- monitor the process of teaching and learning. gram, entitled “Edukacja (Source: E-learning Center of AGH)

pliments and deepens the im- for the Auschwitz Museum, which some classes will be An interview with Dr. Jacek Marciniacki of the mersion in the subject, while the role of the person coordi- conducted remotely, and some company Eduserwis, which is implementing not dominating it—hence the nating the work of all the edu- in a traditional classroom. This the e-learning system at the Auschwitz Museum emphasis on a minimalist ap- cation specialists was exceed- will allow you to completely proach, hidden in a way as the ingly important, and that vital change the emphases in the W hy did you decide to co- Auschwitz Museum will make presented content. role was played by Agnieszka teaching process: remote tech- operate with the Auschwitz access to reliable and deeper Juskowiak-Sawicka. Thanks niques can be used for things Museum in implementing knowledge that is supported W hat does the process of cre- to her efforts, it was possible such as discussing the issues the e-learning project? by the authority and respect of ating e-learning courses look to cooperate completely and raised and the meetings may the institution much easier. like? bring the project to a much work for a traditional work- We treated the selection of our higher standard. shop session. The project will company to implement the e- W ill teaching about such a The methodology combines also develop tools for the pro- learning project at the Ausch- delicate subject be a chal- the separation of roles and When it comes to education, vision of e-learning courses di- witz Museum as an honor. lenge for you? responsibilities between the a visit to the Memorial Site is rectly on the website. This will Euroserwis is a company, three actors of the production exceptionally important due help to prepare individuals which has implemented and We were very concerned by process of the course: the per- to the emotional experience of for visits to the Memorial Site. designed many projects dur- this project. The essence of son responsible for the content the authentic site. The Internet If e-learning courses are com- ing its many years in business, distance learning in the Inter- of the educational material, the lacks this element, but the In- plemented by methodological and has built and created tools net environment in the exist- methodology of distance edu- ternet course gives the teacher, recommendations for teach- and educational methods for ing model, WBT (Web Based cation, and the team respon- as well as the student other ers, then a completely new distance learning for many dif- Training) is to build upon the sible for implementation. The elements that are not available quality of preparation can ex- ferent institutions and organi- substantive content in elec- task of the person responsible while visiting the Memorial. ist for school groups who will zations. However, none of the tronic form, supplemented for the content of the educa- visit the Museum. The open projects done by us so far has with elements of an education- tional material (in this project, The entire solution is designed courses are also an opportu- dealt with a place so impor- al and interactive multimedia. these were the specialists from primarily for a remote training nity for many people to get to tant to the history of Poland These elements are not intend- the Museum) is to develop the model based on asynchronous well organized, credible, and and the world, a place that has ed for entertainment, but are course content as well as tak- techniques, in other words in-depth knowledge about shaped our European identity. intended to replace the interac- ing care at each stage of the those in which the learner the Holocaust and Auschwitz. We believe at a time when the tion between teacher and stu- project to ensure its quality. and the teacher do not have As for the emotional aspect, Internet has become an impor- dent in a traditional classroom. The role of the methodology to meet at the same time on- courses that are created carry tant (and unfortunately some- Prior to the construction of is to propose the division of line. Learners primarily work a huge emotional load—this times false) source of informa- courses we were worried that contents into small portions of by themselves in completing is something that we have tion for many young people, the introduction of precisely knowledge (the learning units, next parts of the course as well personally experienced while it is vitally important to bring those elements would not pro- professionally called “learning as in doing work in groups, working on their creation. The the true knowledge about the duce the intended effect on objects”) and to propose such such as on discussion forums. illustrative texts that are full Holocaust and Auschwitz the participants, but only the multimedia and interactive This approach allows for in- of details, supplemented by and spread it using the help reverse; in other words, we elements that will be most ap- dividualized work with the photographs and sound testi- of the methods and tools that did not want to make it seem propriate within a given batch possibility of discussing the monies, all sorted and deliv- are linked to the needs and that the content is being trivial- of material. The teams dealing topics proposed, which are ered systematically, triggers expectations of this particular ized, or that it appears that the with the project’s implementa- moderated by experts from an incredible amount of emo- group. We know well that the content is inappropriate in the tion are graphic designers and the Auschwitz Museum. But tion—certainly in some sense Internet contains quite a bit of context of issues which relate multimedia developers, who this is not the only model. The comparable to the emotions unchecked information, often to the courses. For each part are responsible for the techni- solutions can be created that that are experienced while misleading, but over all rather of the project we take care that cal creation of the course. In will be used to conduct such visiting the sites of Auschwitz shallow. The initiative of the the multimedia content com- the case of the courses created training in a mixed model, in and Birkenau.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 International Youth Meeting Center Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010

Together, instead of alone. part II

rom October 21 to 24, 2010 at the International Youth Meet- also spoke of how to present In order to show different knowledge on the topic of perspectives of interpreting ing Center once again a Polish-German seminar took place death camps. In the evening, the meaning of the history Fintended for organizers of study tours to the Auschwitz Me- Dorota Bartos from the of the city of Oświęcim, ASF morial Site. Polish-German Youth Co- e. V. volunteers gave guided operation presented the ob- tours to seminar participants jectives of the organization through the city, creating the and discussed the possibili- opportunity to learn about ties of financing projects that the historical and modern deal with Polish-German face of Oświęcim. The pro- relations. During the practi- gram has completed with a cal part of her presentation, trip to Cracow, the main rea- participants had the oppor- son was to visit Nowa Huta, tunity to familiarize them- as an example of postwar selves with the way they Polish history. For many par- had to complete and file ap- ticipants it was a special, pre- plications. viously unknown, dimension of the city. On the third day while pre- senting “The methods of In conclusion, the partici- working with young peo- pants stressed the crucial im- ple at memorial sites,” Pe- portance that visits by young ter Larndorfer shared his individuals to memorial sites thoughts on working with should be preceded by thor- young people in German- ough preparation. Attention speaking countries, and was drawn to the issue of then he also presented the organizing study tours that proposals for making these include visits to places such educational activities sys- as Cracow, which should al- tematic. Particular attention ways be done separately. The was devoted to working with role of Polish-German dia- young people at the memo- logue and exchange of views rial sites (for example, talk- were also highlighted. The ing about emotions and set- training yielded many useful ting rules). The second part suggestions, initiatives, and of the meeting was devoted ideas for the organization of

Photo: IY M C to “an exchange of ideas.” study visits. Many of the par- Participants of the seminar The Polish and German participants positively assessed ticipants, divided into small the opportunity to establish This meeting was directed The training began with an Next, Peter Larndorfer, an groups, had the opportunity contacts with people from primarily to Polish and Ger- introduction of all the par- educator from the former to create their own project both Poland and from Ger- man multipliers that did not ticipants present as well as concentration camp of and search for a partner in many as well as the oppor- have yet the experience in getting acquainted with the Mauthausen, discussed the the framework of an interna- tunity to take the first step in the conduct of study visits, concept and history of the issue of pedagogical work tional youth exchange. There preparing their own project. as well as to those active in International Youth Meeting with young people in places was also time for individual this field who were looking Center and the Action Rec- of remembrance. He put discussions on the exchange A joint visit by Polish and for partners for joint Polish- onciliation/Service for Peace particular emphasis on the or organization of joint trips German young people to a German projects. The semi- (ASF e. V.). The following importance and the current to the memorial. Participants memorial site for a study tour nar was held in cooperation day, participants had the op- perception of these sites by had the opportunity to ask allows them to look at history of the IYMC in Oświęcim portunity to visit the former contemporary society. At specific questions about the from a different perspective and Action Reconciliation/ concentration camp of the same time, a discussion possibilities of financing and gives the opportunity Service for Peace (ASF e. V.). Auschwitz I and the former started about how to prop- projects, organized jointly for discussion and reflection Financial support was pro- death camp Auschwitz II- erly prepare young people with the ASF e. V. as well as on their shared history. vided by the Polish-German Birkenau. For many of the for visits to such sites. He the IYMC in Oświęcim. Youth Cooperation. participants this was their Joanna Trosińska, ASF Berlin second visit, and therefore The goal of the meeting was they had the opportunity to to assist in finding a partner get a deeper sense of the edu- in organizing of study tours cational opportunities that to memorial sites. Such trips, arise from the authenticity of due to their nature, require this place. The guide made adequate preparation, not the participants aware of the only by the organizers, but various aspects and topics re- also by young people. Mak- lated to the history of Ausch- ing visits as Polish-German witz, which can be later built groups not only enables you upon to work with groups of to develop empathy and un- young people. derstanding from different points of view, but is also During the following part, conducive to dialogue, ex- Anna Meier presented a de- changing views, and experi- scription of the educational ences. work carried out by the IYMC. She also introduced The seminar included both various international projects theoretical and practical which had been or are cur- work, during which partici- rently being implemented. pants had the time for indi- Participants took a great in- vidual discussions as well as terest in the project that she for developing and working is now in charge of, “History

on projects. in biography.” Photo: IY M C Participants of the seminar

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010 International Youth Meeting Center

Lübecker Knabenkantorei IN Oświęcim

n October 15, the Foundation for the International Youth Meeting Center, in collaboration with the Parish of St. Joseph the Worker, invited residents of Oświęcim and the region to a performance by the Boys’ Choir Oof Lübeck (Lübeck Knabenkantorei an St. Marien). The choir has performed in Oświęcim during their tour of Poland, which included: Zielona Góra, Legnica, Wrocław, Oświęcim, Częstochowa, and Cracow. Photo: IY M C Boys’ Choir of Lübeck The choir was founded in sacred choral music that is arrived in Oświęcim at the Mrs. Celestyna Czarnynoga, An absolute surprise for the 1948 in Lübeck’s St. Mary’s performed in Germany and initiative of Ryszard Pyritz, who along with Mrs. Lidia guests from Lübeck were Church, which has a long throughout Europe. Boys’ a member of the Rotary Club Szczerbowska, deputy direc- the performances prepared choral tradition. Today the Choir is required to represent of Oświęcim. tor, and many teachers from for their visit by the young- Lübeck Boys’ Choir consists the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. the school personally greeted est pupils, who with great of two concert choirs, each Included in the young sing- the guests. Also, the school’s commitment and effort pre- having about 50 young sing- The culmination of recent ers’ from Germany program students prepared a fantastic sented their abilities to play ers. More than 100 boys aged years has been performing in Oświęcim, were also a reception for young singers. instruments on the school’s from five, working in various music during the ceremony tour of the city, visit to the Choristers from Lübeck vis- stage. The intention of the groups with a young staff in to mark the state visit of Jewish Center, and a meeting ited the school where chil- organizers was to create co- preparation for performanc- Queen Margarethe II of Den- with the choir and orchestra dren learn to play a variety operation between the choirs es. Artistic director and choir mark in Lübeck. The choir, of the Karol Szymanowski of instruments, took part in a of Oświęcim and Lubeck, director, Michael D. Mueller, which includes performanc- National Music School. The lesson on rhythm, practiced through the making of music along with his choir work es of Maurice Durufle “Cum German boys’ choir with with the school orchestra and together. annually to develop new Jubilo” and Gabriel Faure’s great pleasure accepted the choir, with whom they could programs of the secular and “Requiem” in its repertoire, invitation of school director sing well together. Olga Onyszkiewicz

About the Holocaust from a Children’s Perspective: an educational workshop for young people taking a study tour to the IYMC

hortly after the liberation of the first part of Poland’s territories by the Red Army, the newly formed Central Jewish Historical Commission began collecting documentation of the Holocaust. Survivors were interviewed Sabout their fate during the Nazi persecution—these interviews also included children. Moving testimony from interviews conducted so far show almost unknown strategies for survival and experiences of Jewish children in Eastern Europe.

They reveal an entirely new per- tion on the Rights of the Child. On sion, and injustice in the context “This war became the first in the his- spective—these children were November 20, 1989, the UN Gen- of the historical events. In addi- tory of war that was consciously turned lucky to survive in a small hiding eral Assembly adopted the Con- tion, the workshop deals in the against children. This was not about all place, in a forest, or camp. After vention on the Rights of the Child. contemporary understanding of children from occupied countries, but the war, they could bear witness The child is treated as an individ- the origins and background of the representatives of a very specific to the persecution which they suf- ual who has their own rights and human and children’s rights after group: the Jewish children, all of these fered. The workshop deals with freedoms, which are protected. World War II and the Holocaust children without exception. Jewish chil- the fate of Jewish children: Jankiel as well as developing the ability dren, regardless of age, gender, or tal- Baran, Esther Borensztain, Jerzy Workshop will familiarize partic- to recognize injustice in their own ent, because of the will of Hitler and his Himmelblau, Alexander Jakobson, ipants with the complex picture environment, strengthening the inner circle, due to the silent agreement Fela Kokotek, Maria Mławska, of the world during World War motivation and courage to work or mock ignorance of most of German Inge Rothschild, Motel Waks; and II and the Holocaust, and look in the civic sphere. society as well as the passive behavior the development of the protection at the reality of war through the of the majority of occupied Europe’s of children’s rights after World eyes of Jewish children. It also population, were sentenced to death. War II and the Holocaust. aims to develop an understand- Length of workshop: 3 hours Today, historians estimate that out of ing and empathy for the fate of Age: 16-19 nearly 6 million Jewish victims of the In 1978 through the initiative of Jewish children in Poland during Group Size: up to 30 individuals Holocaust there were more than 1.5 Polish Committee for Human the war and the understanding Language: German million children under the age of 15.” Rights at the United Nations, of the mechanisms of social stig- Led by: Elżbieta Pasternak Prof. Feliks Tych. work began on the draft Conven- matization, discrimination, exclu-

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“I’m happy that I’ll die at least on November 11”

ovember is the month during which we commemorate two sad anniversaries. November 22, 1940 the first execution by Nfiring squad was held in Auschwitz. It was then that 40 Pol- ish prisoners were shot to death. A year later, November 11—Polish Independence Day—the Germans held executions at the Death Wall in the courtyard of Block 11 using a silenced small caliber weapon. That day, 151 people lost their lives.

Executions in 1940 were Katowice, the individu- office 40 separate proto- ordered in retaliation for als were chosen by none cols for executions were the alleged acts of vio- other than the leader of also submitted. In the lence and assault against the SS, Heinrich Himmler. “post-mortem examina- members of the police At about 11 o’clock all the tion” (Leichenbefund) sec- force in Katowice. These prisoners were rounded tion it was written—shot killings were ordered and rushed from work through the heart. on November 18 by the back into the camp. higher commander of the One of the witnesses SS and police in Breslau The action began at 12:00, to the executions was (now Wrocław), SS-Grup- where the current head- Władysław Fołtyn. In his penführer von dem Bach- quarters of the PKS bus testimony we read: On the

Zelewski. Four days later, company is located. The day of November, 22 1940, Photo: Archive A– B SM the commandant’s adju- whole operation lasted 20 I was working as a carpen- Auschwitz SS men involved in the executions that took place on November 22, 1940 tant, SS-Obersturmführer minutes. The executions ter—a forced laborer in the existing guardhouse that is collect the bodies of the ex- Kramer confirmed in writ- were managed by SS- carpenter’s workshop in the currently at the Auschwitz ecuted, a cart pulled by pris- ing the acquisition of 40 Obersturmführer Fritzsch. next barrack, equipped with Museum in Oświęcim, near oners was sent, and it later Poles identified as profes- Each prisoner was shot by machinery and equipment Crematorium I. The con- stood for a time with the bod- sional criminals from their two SS men. The execu- taken by the camp authori- demned individuals were ies of murdered before the prison from Katowice. tion commando consisted ties from the Salesian work- awaiting execution in the entrance to the crematorium. From a list sent to him of 20 SS camp guards. On shop in Oświęcim. The bar- region of the internal park- Along the way, and in front by the Staatspolizeistelle in the same day in the camp rack was located opposite the ing lot of the current Mu- of the crematorium, quite a seum and the SS led ten of lot of blood had bled from the them at a time to a nearby bodies of the condemned, this pit [which remained dur- was then washed away with ing the war because it was a rubber hose connected to a a place where gravel had nearby tap. been excavated previous- ly – ed. PS] . The condemned In his memoirs, He who had their hands handcuffed saves one life, Jerzy Bielec- behind their backs. From ki, a former prisoner, de- time to time, we could hear scribed the time when he bursts of rifle shots from the and his fellow prisoners firing squad, and then single had to take bodies to the shots. At the same time, I did crematorium: The roll call not see the shooting because was still ongoing, when the executions took place in somewhere from a short the bottom of the deep pit. distance rifle shots could be Many SS men and SS offic- heard, carried by the echoes ers looked on. Beside the pit, between the buildings that on a small hill of earth, there were around us. The shots was a machine gun set up were repeated every few sec- that was probably to protect onds, building up the feel- against any possible rebellion ing of horror. The gunfire by the condemned. In any continued for about fifteen case, it was not used at this minutes, then suddenly it time. After the executions fell silent. Before the com- had finished, the SS who had mand came to disperse to the been taking part were put in blocks, Kapo Otto, in charge formation and marched back of labor, smiling sincerely to barracks in the vicinity of as usual, came running in the Tobacco Monopoly. I re- our direction: “Vorsicht, member that as they passed ten volunteers for the good near the current museum work!” ... At first no one

Photo: Archive A– B SM guard building they began to knew how to get down to this A portion of the list of prisoners who were shot on November 22, 1940 sing: “Heili, Heilo...”. To bloody work. The SS helped

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condemned were taken to camp commandant, camp be executed at the Death manager, and doctor. Wall alone, naked, with their hands tied behind In his postwar report, Cap- their back. Before the ex- tain Witold Pilecki, who ecution, the prisoners had was one of the founders a number written on their of the camp underground chest. Present at the execu- organization, wrote that tion were the camp com- among the victims of exe- mandant, supervisor, and cutions that were deliber- camp doctor. In total, 151 ately carried out by Nazi prisoners were shot that Germany on the anniver- day: 80 Poles transported sary of Poland regaining from Mysłowice and de- its independence, was tained until their execu- among others Lieutenant tion in the bunker of Block Tadeusz Lech from the 11, 44 prisoners from the vicinity of Bochnia: The camp, summoned by the Political Department did its Political Department, and work and what resulted was 27 other prisoners, who the shooting of prisoners for were imprisoned in the the homeland related issues. C ollections D epatment, A- B SM Władysław Siwek “The Death Wall” bunker for various of- Camp authorities took spe- fenses between October cial joy of when they gathered 10 and November 2, 1941 . a larger group of Poles to be This last group was prob- shot on days when once na- ably one of the first groups tional holidays had been cel- of victims from an inspec- ebrated here in Poland, our tion of the bunker of Block homeland. As a rule, we had 11. During this type of more “mayhem” on May 3 review, among the pris- and November 11, and once oners imprisoned there, an additional group of Poles a selection was carried were executed on March 19 out condemning them to ... With the help of 44 and 45, death, transferring them I got into the woodworker’s to the penal company, or shop. What facilitated my releasing them back into transition was the fact that the camp. On November the woodworker’s unit was 11, 1941, in the bunker, a sub-unit of the carpenter’s there were 33 prisoners, shop, in which I had worked four were left in bunker, for a few months... Work one transferred to the pe- continued. Beside me, there nal company, one moved sat on one side this always back into the camp, while cheerful first rate friend, 42, 27 prisoners were shot. on the other side—friend 45. On the morning of No-

Photo: Paweł Sawicki During the trial of Ausch- vember 11, 1941, the 42 The Death Wall witz commandant Rudolf came up to me and said, “I Höss, former prisoner had a strange dream, I feel us immediately, beating and When the hatch of the car while the rest to take them Ludwik Banach, who that today they’ll ‘blow me kicking us all over, while at was closed, we stood at at- into the vast room next to served as janitor in block away.’ Perhaps it is a just a the same time pushing peo- tention. All the eyes showed the crematorium. Only now 11 testified: The first ex- thought, but I’m happy that ple toward the murdered exhaustion, the faces were could it be seen that drops of ecution using small caliber I will die on November 11 at victims’ bodies. Rollwagen pale and frightened. The blood were dripping from the weapons took place on No- least.” Half an hour later at a drove closer. Tailgate of the striped uniforms were soiled wagon here and there. Heads vember 11, 1941. I saw the morning roll call his number box was opened. I ran to the with human blood.... Those of the bodies being taken executions from a window was read among the other nearest body, grabbed the standing on the earth cov- down made a dull thud, hit- on the first floor of Block 11, numbers. He said goodbye shoeless feet. The shot were ering the bunker were all ting the hard concrete. If a the third room, where I was to me warmly, asking me to without hats and shoes, their herded towards the heav- corpse’s head fell with its staying as a commander of tell his mother that he died hands were tied with wire. I ily loaded Rollwagen and face on the concrete—where the room. At the time of the joyfully. A few hours later pulled a corpse by the feet in we headed toward the trees the nose and mouth had executions, it was not al- he was dead. [the numbers the direction of the station- sticking out from behind the been, there was only a shape- lowed for us to be on this side, in the report are names ary cart. The hands of the crematorium chimney. Soon, less pulp. but despite the prohibition encoded by Witold Pilecki deceased being tied behind the overloaded truck rolled I secretly entered that area. – ed. PS] their back hampered the through the gate of the rec- Less than a year later, on The execution took place in work, so the SS man gave tangular, concrete yard sur- the same day that Inde- such a way that the prisoner the order to flip the body rounded by a high fence and pendence Day is celebrat- was brought out naked, with Ludwik Banach in his tes- face down. Indeed—this was stopped. The tailgate of the ed in Poland, the Germans his hands tied, and was then timony spoke about how much easier, but the face cart was opened and the Ger- at Auschwitz for the first shot in the back of the head further executions took grabbed the ground with the mans with redoubled force time used the method of by Rapportführer Palitzsch place: From that day, such chin lumps and clumps of drove us to begin unloading. a shot, point blank, to the who used a small caliber rifle. executions took place every withered grass, hopping on A smaller group was told to back of the head. The ex- Such executions were held day, with more or less peo- the uneven ground, making pull the corpses lying on the ecutions took place in the individually. Those present ple, sometimes it was three, a gruesome impression.... platform by the legs down, courtyard of Block 11. The at the executions where the four, sometimes twenty. In

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1942, when Aumeier was tion Camp from April few frightened undertakers audible, there was one shot puts the gun off to the side Lagerführer, the small calib- 1942 until January 1945. waiting with stretchers to after another. Wheezing, the and whistles some song or er weapon was upgraded. A He started his posting as meet the sad duty. They can- victim fell. The executioner consciously and casually magazine for 25 bullets was a guard and then moved not hide the horror that is assessed whether the shot to speaks on any subject to the added and the executioner to work in the Political painted on their faces. Near the back of the head, done person standing beside him. didn’t have to reload a bullet Department. This is an the black wall there is a pris- from a few centimeters away, every time, as before, he just excerpt dedicated to how oner with a shovel. Another was on target. With his shoe, As existing documents repeated. Due to this, two death sentences were car- prisoner, chosen from among he stands on the forehead, show, that other than condemned were brought to ried out by shooting: At the cleaners, bring the first two pulling the skin back so that Palitsch, executions were the wall at the same time and stone wall in the courtyard victims over running. He he can see if the eyes show perpetrated by the fol- after shooting one, the ex- of Block 11 a black wall is set holds them by the shoulders, death. Aumeier and Grabner lowing SS men: Stiewitz, ecutioner cocked the weapon, up. This wall, consisting of pressing their faces to the are watching professionally. Wilhelm Clausen, Wil- and immediately shot the black insulation boards, be- wall... Although these were When the shot victim is still helm Gehring, Wilhelm other. The shots were fired came the final milestone in swaying skeletons—many wheezing, one of the two Emmerich, Gerhard Lach- from a distance of 20 cm, and the existence of thousands of of them had vegetated in SS führers orders that: “He mann, Bruno Schlage, were almost inaudible. The innocent people who did not the stinking basement cel- needs to get it once more.” Walter Quackernack, Her- bodies were removed by pris- want, in exchange for mate- lar, in which not even an A shot in the temple or the bert Kirschner, Wilhelm oners from the Revier, who rial benefits, to betray the animal could possibly tol- eye finally ends the miserable Boger, Oswald Kaduk, then took the bodies to the motherland; prisoners who erate—barely standing up life. Wilhelm Nebest, Erich crematorium. Sometimes, escaped from the Auschwitz on their feet, many of them The carriers of the corpses Schulz, Wasyl Burek, Frie- during the executions, there hell, but the bitter fate would still, at the last second, were rush back and forth, with the drich Löwenday, Wosni- were two guns present and have it, they were shot, na- yelling “Long live Poland” bodies loaded on stretchers tza, Hans Aumeier, Hans four prisoners were led to the tionally conscious men and or “Long live freedom.” In and throw them into a heap Stark, and Bruno Pfütze. wall at the same time… All women from all countries oc- such cases, the executioner’s at the other end of the yard. In accordance to the or- executions took place in the cupied by the Germans. The lackey hurried to shoot them There, more blood drenched ders given by the head of courtyard of Block 11. They executioner is the Rapport- in the back of the head or at- bodies lie. Long after the the office group B of the SS took place either before noon führer [Gerhard Palitzsch tempted to silence them with deed, a thin stream of blood WVHA Lörner on August or in the afternoon, and in – ed. PS] or caretaker super- brutal blows.... Regardless pours from the back of the 1, 1942, for each day in the case of larger executions visor of the prison. So as not of whether they were men or head, covering the back. In which these men took part throughout the day. Mainly, to draw attention of passers- women, young or old, almost spite of this, without any in executions they were to certain hours were chosen, by on the road that runs close without exception, the same sign of emotion, a prisoner receive a larger ration that when prisoners were off at to the wall, they use a small situation could be witnessed: with a shovel full of sand consisted of 100 grams of work. caliber rifle with a magazine the individuals garnered covers the foaming puddle meat as well as one-fifth for about 10 to 15 shots. Au- the last of their remaining of blood. He does this every of a liter of vodka and five The book, KL Auschwitz meier, Grabner, and their strength to die with dig- time two corpses are trans- cigarettes. seen by the SS, that was chosen lackey hiding a pre- nity. There was no begging ported from the spot. The published in 1976, con- pared a gun behind his back for mercy, it was often a last executioner is still mechani- Written by: Paweł Sawicki With thanks for assistance from tains the memoir of SS- ready to shoot, are all stand- look of abysmal contempt, for cally loading the gun, and Szymon Kowalski and Dr. Adam Rottenführer Pery Broad, ing casually, drunk with the which those sadistic murder- carrying out one execution Cyra who was stationed at the awareness of their power. In ers were only able to answer after execution. When there Auschwitz Concentra- the background there are a with a sadistic rage. Barely is a break for some reason, he

One of the individuals shot No- vember 11, 1941, from the group selected out of the bunker in Block 11 was Stanisław Lipiński, who held the camp number 22036. He was a student, born in Piotrków Trybunal- ski in 1922, and brought to the camp from the Radom District just over two weeks before his execution. The camp photo of Stanisław Lipiński, a page from the bunker book, and his death certificate can be found in the Museum Archives. In the field

“cause of death,” it is written: heart Photo: Archive A– B SM and circulatory system failure. Fragment of the bunker book including Stanisław Lipiński’s name Photo: Archive A– B SM Stanisław Lipiński’s Death Certificate

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why Do we neeD tolerance? post-seMinar reflections

It’s never too late to give up our prejudices Henry David Thoreau

olerance can be spoken about anywhere. However, there is a place where tolerance Tis spoken about in a particular way— Oświęcim. This is exactly where a series of meetings took place in the fi rst anti-discrimination program to be implemented in Poland, entitled Why do we need tolerance?, which is organized by the Jewish Center. The program’s logo shows a hand tattooed with a concentration camp number and next to it are the signifi cant words “No more such numbers.” The seminar began with a witz on our minds, we started tour of the Auschwitz Mu- a discussion about tolerance seum. Our guide was Ka- at the Jewish Center. The tarzyna Nowak, who in an seminar was led by Prof. unconventional way told Barbara Weigl, psychologist, us about the history of the who is interested in ethnic camp. I’ll remember the visit stereotypes and prejudices. In through images: the washed- her research, she has shown out faces of women being led that stereotypes function al- Photo: Jc to the crematorium shown ready in the consciousness of Participants of the seminar Why do we need tolerance? on the photographs hastily small children, who are just taken by prisoners, pictures learning to read and write. ments conducted by psychol- The seminar ended with a important to our nations. of Gypsy girls so skinny that This simplifi ed system of be- ogists Philip Zimbardo and visit to the Jewish Center and We should renounce preju- it appears that they could not liefs is not changed during the Jane Elliott. In his research, Synagogue, where we were dices and try to get to know survive, hundreds of photo- entire process of their educa- Zimbardo created a situation given a guided tour by Maciej each other and accept what graphs from family albums tion. Negative emotions are of isolating worse and better Zabierowski. In Oświęcim is different. Tolerance is one from before their imprison- brought about in those stud- groups, resulting in bringing before the war, there lived of the virtues of peaceful co- ment, found in account books ied by Gypsies, Jews, and out of the members of the ex- around eight thousand Jews, existence. Each step in the that were discovered in the Russians. The children’s per- periment the “Lucifer effect.” and those who survived direction of tolerance is an camp: photos of mothers with ception of those who are “dif- The fi lm Blue-Eyed, which the war and returned to important step. children laughing, crawling ferent” is undoubtedly the summarized the many years Oświęcim counted less than babies, fathers, grandparents effect of the beliefs of adults, of research done by Elliott, two hundred individuals. The well illustrates the mecha- exhibition New Life shows the Beata Wróblewska* —written beside the photo as well as the lack of under- IV Liceum Ogólnokształcące the fate of these people, tell- standing of what we do not nisms of such divided groups. fate of the survivors. Reality The researcher in charge of following the Holocaust was im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie ing you that from the entire know. in Chorzów family only one person sur- the experiment caused behav- so different than from before vived. I also remember the Stereotypes are tied to preju- ior that led to discrimination the war that the Jews were “posed” photos from the dice, that are fi rm and nega- against disadvantaged groups leaving Oświęcim. In 2000, camp’s liberation, that were tive judgments against main- by dividing people into those the last Jewish person living * Beata Wróblewska par- taken later, when the Rus- ly ethnic and racial groups. inferior (blue-eyed) and the there—Szymon Kluger— ticipated in the fi fth anti-dis- sians had the right equipment They are present in the life of better (dark-eyed). This ex- died. crimination program, Why (as well as when the weather almost everyone, and from periment was to show the sit- do we need tolerance?, that was already better). resentment to hate there is a uation of African-American The Auschwitz-Birkenau had taken place October 16 slippery slope. How easy it is society in the United States. Museum, Jewish Center and and 17 at the Jewish Center Having the site of the former to become biased, was proved Synagogue are historical in Oświęcim. concentration camp of Ausch- by the results of the experi- In Poland the most discrimi- memorial sites—memorials nated against group are the Roma. Fr. Józef Tischner wrote about this nation that does not have its own written history, that it is a “river of blood and tears.” In the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, twenty- three thousand of them lost their lives. Not many of us know that during the Second World War, the Roma had their own Irena Sendler—Al- freda Markowska-Noncia, who during the War saved several dozen children of various nationalities. Looking at the Roma from the other side teaches humility, because the Roma are not only begging Gypsies. They are a group that has a very interesting culture, with a strong ethnic Photo: Jc Photo: Jc identity, linked to tradition Participants of the seminar Why do we need tolerance? and strong familial ties. Participants of the seminar Why do we need tolerance?

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Against Stereotyping—the Second to last meeting of the Pioneers of Tolerance

n early November, the second to last meeting in multicultural series Pioneers of Tolerance took place. A group of 25 male and female Ivolunteers from Oświęcim area schools meet monthly at the Jew- ish Center to learn about people in Poland who belong to ethnic and social minorities.

So far, guests of our pro- up to the students who personal experiences gram have been: Azat, jointly decided to invite with the Pioneers of Tol- a student of Armenian to the next meeting a per- erance—from ignorance origin, a Polish-American son who is homosexual. and intolerance they have Jew named Nitzan, Fode This is how Aleksandra, experienced as well as ex- from Senegal, and three a student of Polish phi- amples of openness and Muslim teenagers from lology at the Jagiellonian support given to them. the Upper Silesia: Asma, University, and Tomek, a Thanks to this unique

Agata, and Amin. high school student from meeting, the participants Photo: J C Cracow came to the Jew- of the Pioneers of Tolerance A meeting of the Pioneers of Tolerance The initiative in select- ish Center. program were able to con- ing individuals from a front widespread stereo- minority group was left The guests shared their types about homosexuals through personal experience in doing interviews with their peers belonging to this group.

The last time the Pioneers of Tolerance will meet is in early December to sum up the year-long project and again contemplate how to confront preju- dice and discrimination

Photo: J C around us. Photo: J C A meeting of the Pioneers of Tolerance Maciek Zabierowski A meeting of the Pioneers of Tolerance Inauguration of the Jewish Center’s weekend program

ast weekend in October marked the inauguration of a new educational program at the Jewish Center for American students Lwho study at European universities. Thirteen individuals from universities in Denmark, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, UK spent four days in Cracow and Oświęcim learning the Polish and Jewish history of both cities. The program of the visit gether with her family Oświęcim alone made a included, among other saved Miri, a Jewish girl, good impression on the things, a study tour of from a nightmare of the students, who remember the Auschwitz-Birkenau Holocaust. Participants it as a vibrant and color- Memorial and Museum, a also visited the Jewish ful city with a long history meeting with Zofia Łyś, a Center, which includes a and peaceful coexistence former prisoner of Ausch- museum and the Chevra between Jews and Poles.

Photo: J C witz, and Mirosława Lomdei Mishnayot Sy- Students from the USA attending an educational program Gruszczyńska, who to- nogogue. Maciek Zabierowski Photo: J C Photo: J C Photo: J C Students from the USA attending an educational program Students from the USA attending an educational program Students from the USA attending an educational program

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Getting to know one another

n October 28-31, at the Center for Dialogue and Prayer, a Polish-Russian seminar took place: Different memories of World War II—a shared responsibility for the future. Its goal was to present the various dimensions Oof the memory of Auschwitz. At the invitation of the Prayer in Oświęcim, who Center for Dialogue and presented the history of Prayer (in cooperation Auschwitz from the Jew- with the State Higher Vo- ish and German perspec- cational School), profes- tive. During the follow- sors and students from the ing days a lecture entitled State Pedagogical Univer- Polish memory of WWII was sity in Voronezh, as well as presented by Zbigniew representatives of the Re- Klima of the State Higher gional Center for Oral His- Vocational School, while tory located there, and the the Russian perspective Russian Orthodox Church was presented by Natalia came to Oświęcim. Timofeyev from the Uni- versity of Voronezh. Through historical memory, the events that took On the last day the per- place in the past are often spective of the churches interpreted very differ- was presented: the Or- ently by the state, politi- thodox (Russian Orthodox cal parties, even the older Church during the Second generation that partici- World War and theological pated in the creation of treatment of the problem, this history. The history a lecture by the deputy is changed and adapted director of the Orthodox to the needs of the collec- school in Voronezh, Sergei tive memory, which eve- Ulanov) and the Catholic ryone can relate to. Sad (The Polish Catholic Church Photo: CD P and shameful historical during World War II and Fr. Manfred Deselaers’ lecture on the various perspectives of remembrance about Auschwitz events are often forgotten theological treatment of the or marginalized, and the problem, a lecture by Fr. Higher Vocational School, successes, even the small- Łukasz Kamykowski, di- together with students est and not of greater im- rector of the Institute for and professors from the portance, are presented in Ecumenism and Dialogue Universities of Voronezh the pages of history as the of the Pontifical Academy participated in lectures, most memorable. of Pope John Paul II in Cra- meetings, and discussions; During the three-day sem- cow). The seminar ended including the program inar, the Polish and Rus- with a joint prayer—Cath- during which they visited sian sides decided to meet olic vespers as well as the the Auschwitz-Birkenau and to learn about dif- Russian Panichida. Par- State Museum and Marian ferent historical perspec- ticipants of the seminar, Kołodziej’s exhibit, Images tives. A series of lectures students of Russian cul- from Memory in Harmęże. was initiated by Fr. Dr. ture as well as philology Manfred Deselaers of the under the care of Renata Center for Dialogue and Kecmaniuk from the State BS Photo: CD P Russian dolls made by students at the University of Voronezh Photo: CD P Photo: CD P A group visiting the Polish and Russian national exhibit. Participants photographed in the Polish exhibit. Classical music concert conducted by Dr. Larisa Vakhtel

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capees across the border into the General Government. He PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL initiated escapes by prisoners. During the preparations for ADAM RYSIEWICZ one escape from Auschwitz, he was surprised by the Ger- (1918-1944) mans at the train station in Ryczów near Spytkowice, on Lviv, before returning to Cra- the Regional GL PPS. on to the Polish government in the border between the Reich cow around the New Year He organized the smuggling exile in London. The Archives and the General Government, and joining the underground of military personnel and of the Auschwitz-Birkenau and was killed, along with Polish Socialist Party Regional socialist activists into Hun- State Museum in Oświęcim two comrades, in an exchange Workers’ Committee (OKR- gary during the occupation. contain a rich collection of of gunfire on June 24, 1944. He PPS). In March 1940, the OKR- He was also active in aiding secret messages, reports, and was buried in the cemetery in PPS sent him to the parts of Jews by finding hiding places documents smuggled out of Ryczów. In 1958, his body was the Cracow województwo that for them and supplying them the camp to the PWOK. Rysie- exhumed and re-interred in had been annexed by Germa- with false identity documents. wicz was a very active mem- the cemetery in his birthplace, ny, to start up and oversee the He helped organize escapes ber of the PWOK. He person- Wilczyska. He never married. socialist underground there. from German captivity and ally acquired money for the In the underground, he went Born on February 24, 1918 This assignment covered the set up the “Nowy Sącz trail” purchase of medication for by the pseudonyms “Skiba” into a peasant family in Wil- Land of Oświęcim, and he for fugitives escaping to Hun- the prisoners, and took part and “Teodor.” czyska, Gorlice powiat, the cooperated with Jan Nosal of gary. From the time when in smuggling Auschwitz es- Henryk Świebocki son of Mikołaj and Genowefa, Brzeszcze, the leader of the Auschwitz Concentration née Krzystoń. He had a sis- local socialists. In mid-1941, Camp went into operation, ter, Jadwiga (born 1921) and Rysiewicz became secretary of Rysiewicz was instrumental a brother Kazimierz (born the OKR-PPS in Cracow, after in aiding the prisoners there. FROM GANOBIS’S CABINET 1919). He graduated from the the Gestapo arrested his pred- From his position in the Cra- Chrobry Gimnazjum in Nowy ecessor, Józef Cyrankiewicz, cow underground, he coordi- Sącz in 1937. From 1937 to in April. Rysiewicz also ed- nated the relief actions carried nce upon a time in the garden of a 1939, he studied law at the ited the underground news- out by the local socialist or- friend of mine, on one of the paving Jagiellonian University in papers Naprzód [Forward] and ganizations in the Oświęcim, stones I noticed the words which were Cracow. He became involved Wolność [Freedom]. Chrzanów, and Jaworzno ar- O in the socialist movement at He was the founder and com- eas. In this mission, he coop- imprinted on it during its production, “EISS- this time, joining the Union of mander of the Polish Socialist erated closely with the PPS ac- NER BETTER OŚWIĘCIM.” I did not think it Independent Socialist Youth Party People’s Guard armed tivists Jan Nosal and Edward could have been a contemporary product and (ZNMS) and even winning a unit (GL PPS). He was the in- Hałoń in Brzeszcze, and Fran- place on its executive council. spiration behind the success- ciszek Mazur in Jaworzno. He started to search for information on the origin When the ZNMS was trans- ful bombing of the Cracow was one of the founders of the of this concrete memento. formed into the Union of In- Arbeitsamt (Labor Office), Committee to Aid Concentra- dependent Academic Youth, which destroyed the lists be- tion Camp Prisoners (PWOK) It turned out that the stone that this is by chance that he remained active in the new ing drawn up there of people in Cracow in mid-1943. Made with the strange words came they remain there to this day. structure. In 1939, the univer- designated for shipment to up mostly of socialists and from a nearby sidewalk that For now, however, for their sity suspended him because Germany as slave laborers. peasant conspirators, this had undergone repair. This sake, I cannot tell where they criminal charges had been At the turn of 1942/1943, he committee aided the prison- one was only suitable for re- are. One thing is certain: if brought against him for mak- set up the Socialist Death Bat- ers in a wide variety of ways, placement. Immediately, I they continue to lie there, the ing an allegedly inflammatory talions, also known as the So- supplying them with food and went to the place where it was weather can cause irrevers- speech at an event hosted by cialist Storm Battalions, which medicine, organizing escapes, found and discovered that ible damage to the historical the Workers’ University So- operated in the foothills of the and receiving from the camp there were more of them. For inscriptions. ciety (TUR) in Chechło, near Carpathian Mountains under resistance movement docu- Olkusz. the aegis of the GL PPS. From ments containing evidence of In September 1939, he fled December 1943 until February the crimes committed by the eastwards, getting as far as 1944, he was commander of SS, which were then passed VESTIGES OF HISTORY FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM

with string. would bring, wrote greetings All pictures and texts were to each other as humans do created by hand. The au- living in normal conditions thor’s name is not known. where this is commonplace; The last page bears only one writing about what for them signature, Romek, signed have become distant and of- in pencil. The nature of the ten unrealistic dreams: home, greetings inside is extremely wedding, travel, grandchil- personal. Each individual the dren, and just the prose of life.

work is addressed to is listed The St. Nicholas gift takes on Photo: Mirosław G anobis by name and the wishes are added significance in camp A paving stone personal: “Emi has to happily conditions. It is touching return to Hamburg with her proof of the fact that, despite now, I am waiting for their It is a pity that we are tram- father”, “My wish for Rachel the harm and injustice per- removal and want to make pling antiquities all the time is that she can go on her long vasive in the camp, still the sure that no one will throw and we pay no attention to awaited honeymoon with needs of other human beings them out while the work is this, even though they lie al- Photo: C ollections D epatment, A- B SM Unknown Author, Album with Srulek”, “For Hania, I wish are perceived and felt. The being performed. When they most in the very center of the Greetings, Auschwitz Concentration a return to her husband and watercolor with St. Nicho- are in my hands, one will cer- city. And supposedly there are Camp 1943–1944 children”, and so on. While las is accompanied by a text: tainly stay in my collection, so many guardians of monu- at the end he wrote“And “Since we’re lazy, St. Nicho- two will be donated to the ments and history enthusiasts This watercolor with an im- most of all I wish all the rest las has come to us last. How- Jewish Center and Museum who are not doing anything age of St. Nicolas accompa- to return home.” Despite ever, he was very saddened, at the Castle, respectively. to collect these artifacts for nied by five prisoners origi- the humorous nature of the because he still had to go to the growing Museum in the nates from an album that was drawings and the optimistic Budy and he didn’t have any The artifacts come from a Jew- Castle, or the Jewish Center a St. Nicolas gift from Ausch- tone of this color greetings gifts, so I gave this book in- ish company called “Eisner i that has been in existence for witz prisoners to women book, it helps us understand stead of any presents.” Better,” which ran a concrete the past ten years. If we leave prisoners who worked in the drama of women, ripped plant in Oświęcim before the the artifacts alone, we will not Budy. The album is filled away from everyday life as Agnieszka Sieradzka War. The place where you be in the position to save our with multicolored illustra- well as their loved ones. Collections Department, A-BSM can find antique stone is also Oświęcim History. tions and wishes to them. The People trapped behind the connected with the history entire album is enclosed in a barbed wire of the camp, of the city, and I don’t think hard cardboard and bound uncertain of what tomorrow Mirosław Ganobis

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine, no. 23, November 2010 Photographer

Gathered congregation participated in the Way of the Cross held at the former Auschwitz II- PHOTO JOURNAL Birkenau camp in Brzezinka. Those present prayed for the murdered prisoners and the victims of the camps. The Way of the Cross was held on the roads of the former death camp by the Dean of the Oświęcim Deanery, Fr. Krzysz- tof Straub. Photo: D ominik Smolarek Photo: D ominik Smolarek Photo: D ominik Smolarek Photo: D ominik Smolarek Photo: D ominik Smolarek Photo: D ominik Smolarek

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