May 10–12 saw the meeting and integration of two groups of members of the Forum for Dialogue Network. Our Polish benefactors travelled to the Lublin Area to meet with our activists, Dorota Bida, Mariusz Czuj, and Emil Majuk, to explore the Jewish history and heritage of Chełm, Wojsławice, and Włodawa. łukasz Mieszkowski, in his role as co-author of the design of the Museum and Memorial in Sobibór, and a longtime Polish Friend of the Forum, took the entire delegation on a tour of the site. It is vital for us to have the members of the Forum for Dialogue Network meet and interact, as well as learn about each other’s motivation for being part of the Forum community.

It is equally important to us that the work of the Network activists is recognized by those who, like them, believe that Jewish history in Poland is Polish history and must be preserved, documented, and widely shared. All participants of the visit expressed great enthusiasm for the program, which only confirms our belief that we need to organize even more opportunities for people dedicated to dialogue to meet and learn from one another.

photo: Wojciech Dobrogojski

It’s great that so many passionate people are connected via the Forum for Dialogue Network. These are tender, thoughtful people who support one another … There is so much goodness being done where so much evil resides. And it lasts thanks to the Network support, and also thanks to the Forum. It’s real grassroots work. The trip leaves me inspired and feeling so much better.

Paulina Kieszkowska