JANUSZ KORCZAK IN CANADA A Message from the First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Mrs. Anna Komorowska Warsaw March 1, 2012 tor, and doctor with a great heart – a man who “ felt like a child and thought like the Old Doctor.” To Mr. Jerry Nussbaum, Chairman of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada The idea of respect for a child, of their right to be who they are and for their dignity is especially close Ms. Malgorzata Burczycka, Secretary to the Board to me; therefore I have enthusiastically accepted the of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada position of Chairwoman of the Honourary Com- mittee of the Celebration of the Year of Janusz Dear Sir and Madam, Korczak in Poland. I believe that we should always remember that children are people and it is our I would like to thank you for your letter informing responsibility to help make their lives full of joy and me of the upcoming cultural events dedicated to the happiness. Year of Janusz Korczak, to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I am sending my congratulations to all the Korcza- kians in Canada. I greatly appreciate your efforts in I was happy to learn that the Janusz Korczak promoting the legacy of Janusz Korczak. Association of Canada is so deeply involved in the organization of various educational and cultural I wish you lots of success in your educational and events related to the Year of Janusz Korczak. This cultural activities, this year and in the years to come. will certainly help to promote Korczak’s legacy and disseminate knowledge about this pedagogue, educa- Anna Komorowska We would like to express our deep Dr. Buczkowski Andrzej and Urszula Kartouchina Alla gratitude to our sponsors for their Chrzastowska Martyna Kuras Miroslaw generous support Dr. Cieslak Zenon Dr. Lichtenstein Samuel and Malgorzata Marciniak Halina The Consulate General of the Republic Dabrowski George and Barbara Margalit Jakob of Poland and the Consul General Dr. Daszkiewicz Maria Dr. Martinka Greg and Magda Krzysztof Czapla Dimant Dov Dr. Medvedev George and Nadya Vancouver Holocaust Education Cen- Dimant Longina Naundorf Anna tre and Executive Director Nina Kriger Edge Mike Nussbaum Jerry and Sophia Gazeta Informacyjna and the publisher Habdank Hannah Rajewski Steven Elzbieta Kozar Haskins Iwona and Gary Dr. Rotecka Joanna Jewish Independent and the publisher Henderson Robert Szafnicka Barbara Cynthia Ramsay Heller Paul Taubenfligel George Dr. Ignaszewski Andrew Dr. Widajewicz Witold Aders-Mirabel Petronella and Marla and Jolanta Dr. Altman Siemion and Dorota Dr. Jakubowski Andrew Dr. Wosk Yosef Boraks-Nemetz Lillian Juralowicz Pawel and Katarzyna Dr. Zajaczkowska-Kieleska Anna Brakoniecki Andrzej and Grazyna Dr. Kalinowski Leszek and Iwona and Andrzej Broitman Leon Dr. Karolak Marek and Barbara Zalewski Jozef and Magda 1 ConTENTS A Message from the First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Mrs. Anna Komorowska .................1 Our Sponsors ......................................................................................................................................................................................1 Korczak's Day in Vancouver ....................................................................................................................................................3 The Chronicle ..................................................................................................................................................................................44 Congratulations .............................................................................................................................................................................63 In Memoriam ..................................................................................................................................................................................64 Celebrating The Year of Janusz Korczak – Our Books ....................................................................................66 Korczak’s Days around the World ....................................................................................................................................91 Our Word to the World ............................................................................................................................................................98 Korczak and the 21st Century ..........................................................................................................................................103 Korczak’s Traces in Canada ...............................................................................................................................................108 The Korczak Book Club ........................................................................................................................................................112 Inspired by Korczak .................................................................................................................................................................132 Korczak’s Legacy........................................................................................................................................................................148 Who’s Who in the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada .......................................................................151 2 KORCZAK’S DAY IN VANCOUVER Unveiling Ceremony of the Bronze-Relief Janusz Korczak and His Children at the Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia General of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Ka­ zimierz Brusilo, Chair of the Polish Canadian Congress, district British Columbia, Ms. Nina Krieger, Executive Director of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Dr. Anna Kin­ dler, Vice Provost of the University of British Columbia, and Mr. Jerry Nussbaum, Chairman of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada. I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of the many people who made this gift of the Korczak bronze relief and this occasion possible. Particularly, Mr. Rona, the artist, the Janusz Korczak Associa­ tion of Canada, the Institute of Early Childhood Education and Research, and the Faculty of Edu­ cation Development office. Our Thanks! Many of you know the story and work of Janusz Korczak. Until this week, I did not. Speech delivered by Dr. Mark Edwards, Assistant In the field of virtue ethics, the argument goes Dean, Professional Development and Community that a person knows what is good and how to Engagement, of Faculty of Education, UBC be good by looking to those who are exemplars of the virtues we aspire to. Ladies and Gentlemen, My journey with Janusz Korczak this week has led me to understand how profoundly appro­ As an Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Educa­ priate it is for the gift of this bronze­relief to tion at University of British Columbia I bring take this iconic location at the entrance of our greetings from Dean Blye Frank and his regrets Teacher Education office. that he could not be at this ceremony. Janusz Korczak exemplifies values we seek to It is an honour for me to meet you here, on the inspire in every educator who participates in traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory this Faculty. You will learn much more of his of the Musqueam People and to welcome you life today, but I would bring your attention to to the Faculty of Education. these virtues: his love of children, his lifelong commitment to the powerless, his intelligent Amongst us, to witness and share this impor­ and creative engagement with life as a writer, tant event, I wish to acknowledge the gracious pediatrician, and educator, his commitment to presence of Mr. Krzysztof Czapla, Consul research and improving knowledge and under­ 3 KORCZAK’S DAY IN VANCOUVER From left to right: Jerry Nussbaum, Chairman of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada, Nina Krieger, Executive Director of Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Dr. Mark Edwards, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Education, Krzysztof Czapla, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vancouver standing, his commitment to practice – partici­ that rids the world of racism and discrimina­ pating in and making a difference in the lives tion. The death of Janusz Korczak reminds of children and community with his ideas, and us of the fundamental importance of this his understanding that serving children called commitment, of this work, and holds us ac­ for giving one’s life fully and that such a calling countable. was worthy of one’s life. It is my sincere hope that every student, teacher, His death provokes us to pay attention. faculty member, and staff member will take several minutes in quiet reflection with this The image of Dr. Korczak leading his 200 relief. It will inspire them. It will deepen their orphan children to the train of the Treblinka resolve to do good work. And it will remind death camp catches one’s heart. them that they are here to make the world a better place. How could such an atrocity occur? How could our fellow human beings watch this? Stand by? With this gift, I believe we will honour the life Do this? of Janusz Korczak. His death, and the death of the orphans he cared On behalf of the Faculty of Education, thank for, reveal starkly the horror of the Holocaust. you Mr. Nussbaum and all the members of the This Faculty strives to bring social justice Janusz Korczak Association of Canada. into this world. We seek to educate in a way 4 KORCZAK’S DAY IN VANCOUVER Speech delivered by Mr. Jerry Nussbaum, the Chairman of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada