25th anniversary of the Jewish Museum. A jubilee of dialogue, remembrance and responsibility

On Sunday, November 30, the Oshpitzin Jewish Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary—a place that, for a quarter of a century, has connected the memory of the past with building intercultural bridges and anti-hatred education. The date of the celebration was symbolic, as it marked the anniversary of the destruction of the Great Synagogue in Oświęcim by the German occupiers on the night of November 29–30, 1939.

During the gala, Tomasz Kuncewicz, Director of Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, emphasized: “For years, we have been bringing the history of Oshpitzin—the Jewish Oświęcim—closer to residents and visitors, building bridges between the past and the present. We want our city to be seen not only through the lens of suffering but also as a modern, beautiful space for life, cooperation, and nature. We care for ecology, support local initiatives— protecting nature—and our museum garden is now a true oasis of greenery, birds, and flowers.”

Kuncewicz also noted that patriotism is not just about remembering the past but about having the courage to stand for truth, goodness, and community: “True patriotism means caring for every person who is part of our shared history—regardless of origin, religion, or beliefs. Antisemitism, racism, and hatred are anti-Polish. The Poland we carry in our hearts grows from traditions of solidarity, courage, and openness.”

Achievements and Projects

Over 25 years, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation operating the Museum has restored key monuments of Oświęcim’s Jewish heritage, including the Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue, and initiated renovation work at the Jewish cemetery. It also created the Great Synagogue Memorial Park, while the restored historic buildings now house the Oshpitzin Jewish Museum and Cafe Bergson, a space for meetings and culture.

The Museum is a pioneer in anti-hatred education in Poland, running programs for U.S. Army officers, sailors, police officers from Poland, Germany, and Iceland, as well as teachers, students, and pupils worldwide.

“Fighting Hatred” Awards

During the gala, awards were presented to individuals and organizations that have particularly supported the Foundation’s mission to preserve the memory of Oświęcim’s Jewish community. Among the honorees were:

• • U.S. Consulate General in Kraków
  • Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kraków
  • Janusz Chwierut (Mayor of Oświęcim)
  • Andrzej Skrzypiński (Starosta of Oświęcim County)
  • Marek Tarnowski (Head of the Promotion Department, Oświęcim City Hall)
  • Mirosław Ganobis (collector and researcher of Oświęcim’s history)
  • Dorota Wiewióra (Chairwoman of the Bielsko-Biała Jewish Community)
  • Dominika Cieślikowska (intercultural psychologist & antidiscrimination trainer)
  • Prof. Michał Bilewicz (Center for Research on Prejudice, University of Warsaw)
  • International Youth Meeting Center in Oświęcim
  • POLIN Museum in Warsaw
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim
  • Akcja Znaki Pokuty Association
  • Susuł & Strama Architects in Oświęcim
  • Greenberg Traurig Law Firm in Warsaw
  • What Matters gmbH (Dortmund)

Music and History

The celebration featured a performance by the Noam Bar-Gil Trio and a story about the history of the Schönker family from Oświęcim. Noam Bar-Gil is the grandson of Henryk Schönker, a Holocaust survivor and former resident of Oświęcim. Four generations of the Schönker family, including Helena Schönker (also a Holocaust survivor), were present at the event.

A Call for the Future

In closing, Kuncewicz called for responsibility and invoked the famous words of Marian Turski: “Let us not be indifferent. For if we are indifferent, we may not even realize when another ‘Auschwitz’ suddenly falls from the sky upon us and our descendants.” He added: “Let us not be indifferent—neither here in Oświęcim nor anywhere else. Let us care for memory, for one another, and for our shared city. For a Poland that is open, brave, and united—a Poland that draws strength from truth and diversity.”

The Foundation thanks everyone who has supported its mission over the past 25 years—colleagues, volunteers, partners, residents, and entrepreneurs. Thanks to their commitment, Oświęcim is becoming a place not only of memory but also of dialogue, education, and responsibility for the future.

The event was held with financial support from the City of Oświęcim, the Małopolska Voivodeship, and funds from the State Budget provided through a targeted grant for the protection, preservation, and development of the cultural identity of national and ethnic minorities.

Photo credit: Andrzej Rudiak