Auschwitz is known to many as the ultimate symbol of the Holocaust. But the town of Oświęcim, in which the camp is located, has a rich Jewish history of its own that predates the camp. Before the war, Jews made up 60% of the town’s population. Today, there are no Jews living there.
The Auschwitz Jewish Center (AJC) has taught this history since 2000, serving as a Polish satellite location of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust and as the only Jewish presence remaining in the vicinity of Auschwitz. The AJC commemorates Oświęcim’s Jewish community, preserves Jewish memory in the town, and educates about the contemporary dangers of antisemitism and other forms of prejudice.
This special 20th anniversary program explores the Jewish history of the town through artifacts in the AJC collection. Please join Tomek Kuncewicz, Director of the AJC, and Maciek Zabierowski, Head of Learning, as they share their important work honoring the memory of the Jews of Oświęcim.
Watch the program below. And please consider donating to the Auschwitz Jewish Center.