Educational projects in Nasielsk, the revitalization of the Jewish cemetery in Szydłów, and the multi-layered history of Serock were the main topics of a promotional meeting held on January 20 in Płońsk. The meeting brought together residents, local activists, teachers, and representatives of local authorities, including the mayor of Płońsk, Andrzej Pietrasik. The discussion was moderated by Piotr Dąbrowski, co-founder of the Nobiscum Foundation and director of the Memorial House in Płońsk, and was attended by members of the Forum for Dialogue Network: Rev. Prof. Paweł Mazanka, Olga Ickiewicz, and Mirosław Pakuła.

The conversation showed that commemorating the Jewish residents of Mazovia and the Świętokrzyskie region is a process based on education and personal relationships. Olga Ickiewicz shared her experiences from Nasielsk, where history is taught through the stories of specific families, while Rev. Prof. Paweł Mazanka emphasized the importance of partnership with descendants in preserving the heritage of Szydłów. Mirosław Pakuła, referring to Serock, emphasized that restoring memory requires synergy between local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the community. The active participation of Mayor Andrzej Pietrasik emphasized that open dialogue between local government and memory activists is essential for building historical awareness and social empathy. Participants agreed that thanks to the Forum for Dialogue Network, even the smallest local initiatives gain regional reach, strengthening the culture of remembrance throughout Poland and effectively combating antisemitism.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Working with young people in Żyrardów, discovering family histories in Kałuszyn, and documenting the fate of the Wołomin community – these were the main themes of a promotional meeting held on December 15 in Warsaw. The event, organized by Forum for Dialogue, provided an opportunity for Network members Bożena Gąsiorowska, Przemysław Jaczewski, and Piotr Szulc to exchange their experiences.

The conversation, led by the Forum’s director, Olga Kaczmarek, PhD, demonstrated that commemorating the Jewish past of Mazovia is a process requiring not only archival precision but, above all, empathy and relationship-building with descendants. The discussion highlighted three pillars of effective memory work: education, relationships, and documentation. Bożena Gąsiorowska, sharing her insights from Żyrardów, emphasized that young people engage most deeply with history through the stories of specific individuals, which fosters empathy and an understanding of multicultural heritage. Another key theme was partnership with descendants. Przemysław Jaczewski, citing his collaboration with Joseph Gellman from Kałuszyn, demonstrated that these relationships go far beyond symbolic gestures – they involve joint archiving of photographs and restoring Jewish names to the urban landscape. Piotr Szulc, in turn, highlighted the importance of written sources, announcing the upcoming publication of the translated Book of Remembrance of the Jews of Wołomin.

The participants agreed that working with heritage requires patience and precision, but brings measurable results. Thanks to the exchange of experiences within the Network, local initiatives become an inspiration for building an open community, aware of its roots and ready for dialogue.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Unique Jewish monuments in Żarki, the multi-layered and fascinating history of Gliwice, and the experience of a multicultural neighborhood in Sosnowiec were among the topics discussed during the panel discussion “Memory of Jews in Silesia: Challenges, Motivations, and Good Practices,” co-organized by Forum for Dialogue and the Upper Silesian Jews House of Remembrance, a branch of the Museum ofGliwice, on November 27 in Gliwice.

The meeting provided a platform for discussion on various forms of involvement in the preservation and commemoration of the region’s Jewish heritage, the personal motivations behind such activities, and the challenges faced by local activists and institutions. The panel featured committed members of the Forum for Dialogue Network: Monika Kempara, Wojciech Mszyca, and Seweryn Botor, and was moderated by Larysa Michalska, Director of the Upper Silesian Jews House of Remembrance. Through shared experiences and examples of good practices, the speakers highlighted the importance of local initiatives, cooperation with residents, and building lasting relationships based on dialogue and trust.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

On September 20, 2025, the Forum for Dialogue headquarters in Warsaw hosted a seminar dedicated to countering antisemitism, organized for members of the Forum for Dialogue Network, who work with young people on a daily basis as teachers and educators.

The primary objective of the meeting was to explore the roots of prejudice against people of Jewish descent and to develop practical methods for addressing antisemitism within local communities. Beyond the theoretical framework, participants critically analyzed specific manifestations of antisemitism and formulated strategies to confront various forms of discrimination. The interests workshop was facilitated by Verena Bunkus, PhD, a historian and expert from the House of the Wannsee Conference Memorial and Educational Site.

The program consisted of two thematic blocks. The first served as an introduction to the historical and educational context. In the following stage, participants worked in groups to analyze the mechanisms of hatred, using the minutes of the 1942 Wannsee Conference as a starting point.

The sessions were designed to foster mutual understanding and to equip participants with the skills needed to respond to hostility. The seminar’s educational components were further enriched by a historical walking tour of the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

On September 13 the historic town hall of Tarnów became the venue of an inspiring debate attended by key members of the Forum for Dialogue Network: Izabela Sekulska, Ireneusz Socha, and Jolanta and Jerzy Stelmach. Open to the wider public, the meeting brought together individuals involved in grassroots work for memory, dialogue, and the reinterpretation of the multicultural heritage of Polish cities.

The discussion, moderated by Hanna Gospodarczyk from Forum for Dialogue, focused on the role of local activists and the challenges of grassroots work. Members of the Network presented a variety of paths of engagement, often rooted in personal motivation: from long-term educational work with young people based on direct contact with history, to activities centered around the neglected Jewish cemetery in Mielec, which evolved into a broad commemorative initiative connecting the local community with Jewish descendants of former residents. The importance of consistency and of combining educational activities with artistic creation was also emphasized.

The debate in Tarnów—the second of the planned promotional meetings within the NET4CALL project—served as an example of a gathering aimed not only at exchanging experiences, but also at shaping attitudes and approaches to caring for memory, heritage, and dialogue. Thanks to the practical examples and personal stories shared, the audience, including some less experienced activists and new members of the Network, gained valuable tools and inspiration for futher grassroots initiatives.

The meeting was intended to raise awareness of Jewish heritage and to foster sensitivity to the dangers of prejudice and stereotypes, thereby counteracting antisemitism. The debate underscored that memory is a dynamic process requiring constant care, and that local initiatives form the foundation for broader change. Forum for Dialogue Network serves as a key space for support and inspiration.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

We have just completed an intensive introductory seminar, which took place in Wrocław on September 5-7, 2025. The participants met to build stronger connections and engage in a deeper, dialogue-based exchange of experiences. During the meeting, they had the opportunity to learn about the detailed support offered to them by Forum for Dialogue. Being able to empower people involved in local initiatives for equality and remembrance by equipping them with new knowledge and skills during such meetings is extremely important to us.

The seminar program included key elements of networking, as well as a unique walking tour of Wrocław. Led by Anita Skotnicza, also a member of the Forum for Dialogue Network, participants followed the trail of the Jewish community’s history in the city. For us, such historical journeys are not only a form of commemoration, but above all a living lesson in dialogue and building a common future based on respect for diversity.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

April 26-28, during the Ludwika and Henryk Wujec Seminar for Forum for Dialogue Network members Izabela Meyza helped over 20 participants dove deep into the theories and practices of dialogue and non-violent communication, learning skills invaluable in their work to preserve and commemorate Jewish history of their towns and villages. Aided by Marta Eichelberger-Jankowska they have also practiced chewruta, a dialogic approach to text and thinking steeped in Jewish history and Judaism.

The seminar is Forum’s way of honoring the memory of Henryk and Ludwika Wujec, whose approach to others has been an inspiration for us for decades. It is vital that in our efforts to support our community of 200+ individuals working in Poland to preserve Jewish heritage we can connect the important figures and practices from the past with current efforts to build a better future.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Ludwika and Henryk Wujec Seminar is co-financed by Friends of the Forum and individual donors and institutions from Poland and abroad supporting Forum for Dialogue.

March 28–30, we met in Radom where a group of 11 participants – individuals who recently joined the Forum for Dialogue Network – exchanged experiences from various regions of Poland and toured the city along the trail of pre-war Jewish life, guided by Ewa Wziątek, who is also part of the Network. These introductory seminars aim to help new community members establish relationships among others involved in commemorating and popularizing Jewish history, as well as enhance educational skills in Polish/Jewish dialogue and work with local heritage.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

March 3-7, we hosted a study visit of the staff of the House of the Wannsee Conference, our partner institution in the project funded by the European Union “Towards Networks for Dialogue: Multiperspective Strategies on Combatting Antisemitism at Local Levels.” Visit of our German guests was a great opportunity to deepen our relationship through a week-long intense program of site visits and meetings. The highlight of the visit was a trip to Mińsk Mazowiecki, where a member of the Forum for Dialogue Network, Katarzyna Łaziuk, and Ewa Borkowska gave a tour of local Jewish sites and shared insights on the preservation of local Jewish heritage.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

“I feel good among you. I feel that I am part of an important project to commemorate the Jewish community, and that I am not alone in this,” said Lucyna Borczuch, a participant of the introductory seminar for individuals who recently joined the Forum for Dialogue Network. These seminars aim to help new community members establish relationships among others involved in commemorating and popularizing Jewish history, as well as enhance educational skills in Polish/Jewish dialogue and work with local heritage.

October 11-13, 2024, we met in Łódź where a group of 22 participants exchanged experiences from various regions of Poland and toured the city along the trail of pre-war Jewish life. We were guided by the invaluable Milena Wicepolska-Góralczyk and Andrzej Grzegorczyk, both of whom are also part of the Network.

With Assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.