Modernization of the Main Exhibition at the Oshpitzin Jewish Museum
17 October 2025
In 2025 we are celebrating our 25th anniversary with a major project: the modernization of the main exhibition. This renewal enriches the narrative of Jewish life in Oświęcim with newly restored artifacts, rare photographs, and stories that span centuries.
Restored Treasures from the Great Synagogue
Among the highlights are restored chandeliers and marble elements decorated with zodiac signs from the Great Synagogue of Oświęcim, destroyed during World War II. These unique pieces, together with artifacts recovered from the town’s mikveh during archaeological excavations in 2004 and 2023, reconnect visitors with the tangible heritage of the once-vibrant local Jewish community.
Everyday Life in Interwar Poland
The section dedicated to the interwar period now features a rare blue tin collection box used for donations to Keren Kayemet Le-Israel (Jewish National Fund). This artifact was uncovered in 2025 during roof renovations in a nearby village. It symbolizes the connections between Oświęcim’s Jewish residents and global Jewish life in the early 20th century.
New Perspectives on the Holocaust
The Holocaust gallery introduces original glass negatives that depict Oświęcim and its Jewish residents during the early years of the war, including two remarkable color photographs. These images provide an invaluable window into a community on the eve of its destruction.
Stories of Rescue and Memory After 1945
The postwar section now features the story of Felicja and Wacław Bebak, a Polish couple who saved Ilona Jankielewicz, a Jewish child in Warsaw. On display are their medal and diploma from Yad Vashem, honoring them as Righteous Among the Nations. Visitors can also view paintings by Holocaust survivor Henryk Schönker and a richly embroidered parochet (Torah ark curtain) donated by renowned Polish film director Janusz Morgenstern.
This modernization ensures that the Oshpitzin Jewish Museum remains a vital space for education and remembrance, combining historical depth with newly uncovered stories.
The project has been generously supported by the City of Oświęcim.
