We are very much aware of just how much the Leaders of Dialogue impact the world for the better. That is why, we are always incredibly happy to see them recognized by organizations who award contributors to Polish/Jewish dialogue. We are very pleased to announce that Tomasz Malec from Tarnów and Wojciech Mszyca from Żarki were awarded by the PolCul Foundation, while Jakub Niewińśki from Murowana Goślina and Katarzyna Winiarska from Bialowieza were awarded by the Galicja Jewish Museum.

Boniecki PolCul Foundation Award

Two Leaders of Dialogue, Wojciech Mszyca and Jakub Niewiński, were awarded by the Jerzy Boniecki PolCul Foundation. Founded in 1980 in Sydney, Australia, the foundation awards individuals contributing to the development of civil society in Poland twice a year.

Wojciech Mszyca, Leader of Dialogue from Żarki, was awarded for numerous and effective initiatives for democracy and building bonds in local communities, as well as journalistic work, and, most importantly, for the protection of multicultural heritage. He is also known for museum and conservation initiatives and for the popularization of the multicultural history of Upper Silesia.

Jakub Niewiński, Leader of Dialogue from Murowana Goślina, was awarded for promoting pluralism and tolerance towards national and religious minorities, especially for multidirectional social activities for the Polish/Jewish dialogue, as well as for educational work with youth and initiatives raising the level of education. Jakub Niewiński is valued and respected for conducting a difficult dialogue on tolerance.

“Preserving Memory” Award

The Galicia Jewish Museum honored Poles preserving Jewish memory with “Preserving Memory” award, dedicated to people who often work alone, on their own initiative, to ensure that Poland’s Jewish heritage will be remembered. This year two Leaders of Dialogue were awarded: Katarzyna Winiarska and Tomasz Malec.

Katarzyna Winiarska, Leader of Dialogue in Białowieża, is a cultural activist who works at the Jacek Kuroń Educational Foundation. She co-directs the Common University of Teremiski, organizes workshops for children and teenagers, and coordinates the “Teatr w Stodole” theatre in a barn in Teremiski. Katarzyna is also the creator of the Virtual Museum of the History of Jewish Community in Białowieża. She initiated the construction of a monument commemorating Holocaust victims from Białowieża. Its unveiling ceremony was attended by a group of 30 descendants of Jews of Białowieża from the USA and Israel, with whom Katarzyna Winiarska had reconnected in the previous years. A short film about her activism is available here.

Tomasz Malec is a Leader of Dialogue in Tarnów. From an early age he showed an interest in history, but for many years was not aware of the Jewish history of his town and region. In childhood he was tasked with looking after his two siblings with disabilities. Both of these circumstances had a profound effect on his current activism: promoting Jewish historical remembrance and teaching students with special needs. Consequently, he introduces Jewish history and culture to the curriculum in special schools. In 2008, Tomasz Malec founded the “Antyschematy 2” Foundation, where he now serves as a president. His organisation focuses on educational activities related to Jewish culture and history, remembrance projects, as well as cleaning and documenting neglected Jewish cemeteries. A short film about his activism is available here.

Congratulations! We appreciate your tireless and important work!