Krasnosielc

Maybe this is the reason why students became so involved in the workshops held by Forum educators. They wanted to learn as much as possible. They were finally given the opportunity to discover the history of local Jews in and to do so in a systematic way. Through joint efforts, hard work and impressive dedication they were able to establish that in 1844 an independent Kahal was established in Krasnosielc; in 1883, a new synagogue was built in stone at Przechodnia Street according to the design of the famous Henryk Stifelman; one of the town’s most respected citizens was tannery owner Frajman Motel; in 1926, Krasnosielc had two 5-grade schools – a Polish and a Jewish one, that were later consolidated into one 7-grade grammar school; that Szlama Lezer and Icchak Josef Silberg were Krasnosielc rabbis prior to the war. And the students searched on.

Krasnosielc was the birthtown of Aaron, Szmul and Hirsz Eichelbaum, who migrated to the United States and went on to establish Warner Bros. film studio.

Students became interested in the benefits of multiculturalism and Polish/Jewish relations. For their School of Dialogue project, students prepared a tour commemorating Jewish presence in Krasnosielc and invited their fellow students, town authorities, local press and anyone else interested to participate. They made invitations and posters advertising the event. The tour was attended by their school’s principal, journalists and other students from the school. Right at the beginning of the tour, each participant received a yellow flower, in reference to the daffodils that symbolize the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The sizable group first headed towards the building of the brick synagogue. In the first days of September, 1939, this was where German soldiers from “Kempf” division held a mass execution, shooting ca.50 people in the synagogue and ordering their bodies to be buried in a mass grave nearby. Tour participants laid down flowers under a commemorative plaque and stone devoted to the memory of the Jewish community. The group later headed for the Jewish cemetery or rather – its location.

The fact that the cemetery is not marked in any way moved the students deeply. With support of the Association of the Friends of Krasnosielc Region, they petitioned the town’s authorities to commemorate the site and wanted to raise funds for this purpose themselves. In the course of the walking tour, participants heard many interesting stories about local Jews, were introduced to some Jewish traditions and could even sample some traditional dishes that the students had prepared themselves.

However, the walking tour was just the beginning. The students’ next project was to create an exhibition presenting photos of Krasnosielc Jews. This time they were assisted by the town mayor.

Students also set up a Facebook fanpage and prepared a film that documents their walking tour and the walk they designed is to be held on a regular basis. Furthermore, every September 5 and 6, students want to commemorate the execution in the synagogue by handing out yellow flowers to Krasnosielc residents.

To read more about Krasnosielc visit Virtual Shtetl:

In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this educational program. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.

Project co-financed from the funds granted by The Pratt Foundation.

In appreciation to Friends of the Forum for supporting the School of Dialogue educational program.