Unveiling of the Restored Matzevah of Polish Legionnaire Icchak Izydor Hirsch

The Jewish Museum in Oświęcim invites you to the ceremony of unveiling the restored tombstone of Polish legionnaire Icchak Izydor Hirsch

Program

13:30 – Ceremonial unveiling of the tombstone.

14:00–15:00 – Guided tour of the Jewish cemetery.
Guide: Dr. Artur Szyndler.

November 11, 2025 (Tuesday)
Jewish Cemetery in Oświęcim (entrance from Dąbrowskiego Street)

Free admission. All are welcome!

ICCHAK IZYDOR HIRSCH (February 4, 1897, Oświęcim – July 23, ?), soldier of the Polish Legions – the legendary military formation that contributed to Poland regaining independence in 1918.

The tombstone preserved two unique symbols highlighting his Polish-Jewish identity: the Emblem of the Republic of Poland with the crowned eagle, and the Star of David – a symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people.

The Polish Legions were established in Kraków on August 27, 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War I. They were created at the initiative of Polish political parties in Galicia, united in the Supreme National Committee. The Legions were meant to use the armed conflict, in which Poland’s partitioners fought on opposing sides, as an opportunity to attempt to regain independence at a favorable moment.

The Legions were a separate volunteer formation within the Austro-Hungarian army. They consisted of Polish paramilitary organizations, including the Riflemen’s Association, Polish Rifle Squads, and the Polish Gymnastic Society “Sokół.”

Jews from various social backgrounds were drawn to the Legions by patriotic ideals as well as democratic and egalitarian slogans. According to the latest findings, 648 Jews served in the formation, accounting for about 2–2.5% of all legionnaires. Jews were the largest national minority in the Legions.

About 80 of them gave their lives fighting for Poland – around 12% of all Jews who served in the Legions. After World War I, 190 were decorated, including with the Virtuti Militari Cross.

From the very beginning, the Jews of Oświęcim not only financially supported the Polish Legions, but were also engaged in establishing the Oświęcim District National Committee (1914), which included prominent representatives of the local Jewish community. They were Józef Schönker – industrialist and owner of the Agrochemia factory, and Józef Thieberg – city councilor, bank director, and president of the Jewish Religious Community. The latter represented Oświęcim as a delegate at the congress of the Supreme National Committee in Kraków (1915).

The renovation project was supported by:

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kraków; City of Oświęcim; Oświęcim County; Auschwitz-Birkenau Victims Memorial Foundation; What Matters GmbH Dortmund; Plantpol Zaborze; Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (New York–Oświęcim); Debbie Bisno & David Goldman (USA); Sam & Harry Rosenberg (Australia); Harry Turner (Sweden); Barbara Posner (Sweden); and individuals contributing through community funding on the ZRZUTKA.PL platform.