| 2018 |
Biała Podlaska
J. I. Kraszewski High School No. 1
J. I. Kraszewski High School No. 1
| 2018 |
Biała Podlaska is a town in eastern Poland where Jews settled already in the 17th century; it is estimated that thirty Jewish families were among its residents at the time. From 19th century onwards, Jewish residents constituted over 60% of the local population. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, numerous synagogues, houses of prayer and cemeteries functioned in Biała. In the course of the war, a ghetto was created in the town; upon its liquidation, local Jewish population amounted to almost zero. These sites and events became topics of interest for students from Biała Podlaska’s J.I. Kraszewski High School No.1 who participated in the School of Dialogue program.
In their quest for information, they visited the library and spoke with local residents, among them members of Eureka senior citizens’ club who still remembered the town’s prewar topography. The seniors joined the student-prepared event and carefully listened to young presenters, surprised by how much they know and offering to share their own knowledge and memories. Other high school students as well as teachers were also invited to the event.
An important stop on the walking tour prepared by project participants was the building of a music school connected to the Zylberberg family, ancestors of Truda Weisenberger, with whom students established contact through their teachers. The guided walk was peppered with basic information about Judaism as well as the functions and structure of sites such as a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery.
Archival photographs and maps prepared by high school student guides for the purposes of the tour met with interest of the local tourist information office. Project participants also made a short film to document their event.
At the end of the walking tour there was an opportunity to keep the conversation rolling over kosher snacks; senior citizens reminisced on their own youth and local stories, stressing the importance of discussing the subject matter, despite it being painful (given that most local Jews had been murdered), in order for the memory of Biała Podlaska’s Jews to live on.
Project participants admitted that their knowledge of the town’s history and that of Jewish culture had been enriched; some would like to learn even more in order to fight stereotypes and spread tolerance.
School: J. I. Kraszewski High School No. 1
Students: 2nd year
Teacher: Monika Kulikowska
Educators: Katarzyna Niewczas, Barbara Rostek
Project co-financed by individual donors through CAF Canada.
