Jewish Cultural Heritage

Description

The project shall contribute to outcome 3 ''Knowledge of Jewish cultural heritage increased''.

The pre-defined project shall be implemented by way of six components, as follows:

 1. ‘Let’s meet at the museum’, to be carried out in cooperation with the Falstad Center and with the European Wergeland Center with the objective to promote knowledge of and respect for Jewish cultural heritage through a complex, innovative educational programme based on the core exhibition of POLIN

 2. ‘Museum on wheels’, with the objective to increase knowledge on local Jewish history throughout Poland by way of a mobile exhibition tailored to the history of local Jewish communities in the towns covered by the mobile exhibition accompanied by educational events co-created with local partners. 

 3. Faces of diversity’, to be carried out in cooperation with the Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities with the objective to create a platform for dialogue on Jewish history and culture, through cultural-educational programmes

4. ‘Neighbours: Objects, People, Stories’, to be carried out in cooperation with the Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities with the objective to further develop the museum’s portals through collecting, digitising and making available documentation on Jewish heritage and Polish-Jewish history. 

5. ‘Crossing borders’, to be carried out in cooperation with the Jewish Museum in Oslo, the Falstad Center, the Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities and the European Wergeland Center with the objective to create an international network and platform for exchange of best practice and for dialogue for actors 

6. ‘Elaborating and making available historical sources’, with the objective to broaden and make available the collection of historical resources for education, research, exhibition and publishing on the history and culture of Polish Jews 

Summary of project results

The primary objective of the “Jewish Cultural Heritage” project was to preserve and promote the legacy of Polish Jews while combating antisemitism, discrimination, and exclusion through  innovative educational programs, facilitating access to culture, building local and bilateral partnerships and expanding and sharing historical resources.

The project aimed to address significant challenges facing European society, including the rise of xenophobia, the brutalization of public discourse, and the normalization of hate speech, particularly on social media. Antisemitism, a pervasive and harmful global issue, threatens Jewish communities and undermines the moral foundations of liberal democratic societies. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Gaza further exacerbated its reach and destructive potential. Antisemitic beliefs fuel extremist ideologies, leading to radicalization, institutional mistrust, and violence. The influence of openly antisemitic and racist organizations is growing, particularly among the youth.

Historically, during times of rapid societal change and multiple crises, societies have sought scapegoats, often targeting Jews and other minorities. Antisemitism remains a persistent problem across the European Union, with 50% of the European population recognizing it as such, according to the 2019 Eurobarometer on antisemitism. A 2018 survey by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), covering 12 Member States and 95% of Jewish communities living in the EU, revealed that 9 in 10 Jews (89%) believe antisemitism has increased in their country, with more than 8 in 10 (85%) considering it a serious problem.

The examples of antisemitic acts in Poland were, primarily, hate speech on the Internet, antisemitic slogans on building facades and football stadiums, desecrating Jewish cemeteries. In recent years, much more drastic incidents have been noted, such as public burning of effigies of Jews (2015 in Wrocław, 2019 in Pruchnik—here the effigy of a Jew was modelled on a caricature from the Nazi Der Sturmer magazine), throwing stones at a synagogue on Yom Kippur (2019 in Gdańsk), or burning a copy of a medieval statute which granted Jews rights in Poland on the Polish Independence Day (2021 in Kalisz).

The Center for Research on Prejudice at the University of Warsaw is the most important institution conducting regular studies on antisemitism in Poland. According to the publication Hate Speech. A Report of the Survey (Bilewicz et al., Warsaw 2014), based on research conducted by the Center and the Batory Foundation and funded by EEA Grants, 56% of adult respondents believe that the Jewish minority threatens the values held by Poles. The report Return of the Superstition (Bulska, Winiewski, Warsaw 2017) compares surveys conducted by the Center in 2009, 2013, and 2017, revealing that so-called traditional antisemitism (rooted in anti-Judaism) has been on the rise in Poland. For instance, in the years 2009, 2013, and 2017, respectively, 13.2%, 18%, and 23.3% of respondents believed that Jews are still to be blamed for the death of Jesus, and 10.3%, 12.9%, and 24.5% of respondents believed in the blood libel.

Another critical issue that the project aimed to address was the preservation of Jewish tangible and intangible heritage, particularly in local communities. Before World War II, Poland was home to the second-largest Jewish community in the world, with approximately 3.5 million people, representing 10% of the Polish population. Only about 400,000 Polish Jews survived the Holocaust. After the war and the antisemitic campaign launched by the communist authorities in 1968, most of them left the country. Today, the number of Jews in Poland is estimated to be between 7,000 and 40,000 people, depending on the counting methodology.

Given the small size of the Jewish population in Poland today (with the total population exceeding 38 million), it falls to Polish citizens to protect and preserve Jewish memory. As Dariusz Stola and Piotr Wiślicki noted, "We are not responsible for a past on which we had no influence. However, we are responsible for what we do about that past today. Above all, we owe the truth to the victims of past crimes, and the truth is fueled by an open and factual discussion." The challenges include researching and teaching a deeper, unadulterated picture of Polish-Jewish relations, as well as protecting material heritage, such as Judaica in local collections and over 1,000 Jewish cemeteries scattered across Poland, many of which are unmarked and abandoned.

Another significant focus of the project was facilitating access to culture for minority groups, particularly the Ukrainian community, school children and youth from small towns and impoverished backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Two key challenges emerged during the project: the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The pandemic forced many activities to move online, initially a significant challenge. However, this shift ultimately proved beneficial, expanding the project''s reach and connecting with new audiences, especially those in remote communities with limited access to knowledge. Online lessons were particularly effective. A major challenge was providing assistance to refugees and the rapidly growing Ukrainian community, which involved employing several educators and other specialists and organizing hundreds of workshops for schools and training sessions for adults.

The “Jewish Cultural Heritage” project was of the most important initiatives in Europe devoted to preserving and popularising the legacy of Jews once inhabiting the central and eastern regions of our continent. Aside from recalling the history of Polish Jews, the project served to build attitudes of openness and tolerance towards minority. From its onset, it has shaped civic attitudes, especially among the youth, with the hope that young people will build open and democratic society in the future.

Furthermore, the project has allowed and challenged all partner institutions to break away from traditional national narratives and frames that previously dominated their work, and to convey and recall the Jewish history from an international and comparative perspective. The project has thus laid a solid foundation for new perspectives.

The project has been an excellent example of successful bilateral collaboration between Norway and Poland, bringing institutions from both countries together, united by common goals and values, sharing their experiences and learning from each other.

Outputs:

• 11 259 activities
• 6 479 171 recipients
• 5 806 digitized objects
• 7 758 902 internet user’s sessions
• 93% of surveyed teachers claim that they have expanded their knowledge of the history and culture of Polish Jews
• 88% of surveyed teachers declare that they have become more sensitive to the issues of diversity and tolerance.

Activites:

1. Programs for teachers: 181 activities for 151 499 participants, educational material published online generated 132 868 sessions on ww.polin.pl and YouTube channel.

Activities: 43 study visits, 85 courses, seminars and lectures for teachers, 2 conferences for teachers, 17 conventions and local activities under the Ambassadors Programme, 30 educational packages.

Bilateral: Seminars and conferences for teachers with Falstad Center and HL-senteret.

1. Programs for school students: 3 441 activities for 71 323 participants

Activities: 2901 educational and cultural workshops for school students (onsite at POLIN Museum and online); "Museum in a Box" educational kit and 529 workshops with its use in schools all over Poland; Educators Academy; a participatory project involving young people and an interactive tool to facilitate exhibit reception.

Bilateral: “Fighting antisemitism, xenophobia and racism now!” project in cooperation with the European Wergeland Center.

1. The „Daffodils” educational and social campaign: 362 activities in 5 action editions for 5 247 944 recipients

Activities: 5 campaigns with 362 activities, including: training for coordinators from schools, libraries and volunteers, publication of educational materials, distribution of daffodils in the press and on the streets, outdoor campaigns, media outreach.

1. Programs for marginalized groups: 2 230 activities for 72 092 participants

Activities: 334 activities for people with disabilities; 224 activities for minority groups; 1564 activities for marginalized groups (including refugees from Ukraine); 108 activities for senior citizens. Events included mainly educational workshops and materials, as well as dedicated guided tours.

1. Programs for specialists and local leaders:  301 activities for 8 267 participants
2.  “Museum on Wheels” traveling exhibition: 477 activities for 248 338 participants

Activities: 3 exhibitions: "Museum on wheels", "They risked their lives" and "They fill no space" and 473 events accompanying exhibitions (workshops, lectures, film screenings, concerts, Judaica exhibitions) organised together with local partners.

Bilateral activities: 1 seminar entitled "Giving voice to the unspeakable: Artistic interventions in Holocaust and Human Rights museums in Norway and Poland" with experts from Poland and Norway implemented jointly with HL-senteret.

1. Cultural and public programs: 701 activities for 619 217 participants

1. Development of online portals “Virtual Shtetl” and “Polish Righteous”: 2 647 historical studies and iconography published on the Virtual Shtetl portal, historical studies on the Polish Righteous portal, interviews, audiovisual oral history processing; 7 178 380 individual sessions on the Virtual Shtetl and Polish Righteous portals (total number of page views).

1. Describing and marking selected Jewish cemeteries: 441 activities, including 341 cemetery descriptions; 19 ceremonies commemorating Jewish cemeteries and 81 accompanying educational workshops for schoolchildren. The ceremonies were attended by a total of 2,220 participants - local governments, authorities, memorial and cultural institutions, as well as male and female residents of the localities concerned and workshop participants.

1. Digitizing and sharing collections of POLIN Museum and local partners: 1 035 digitized objects; organization of "Donors'' Day" project for 303 participant; as a part of the project Collections on wheels: 1000 digitized objects, 19 activities (trainings for employees of local institutions, study visits) for 56 participants; 4 parts of the compendium/guide book: "Recommendations and good practices for collection management in cultural institutions".

1. Programs for ‘multipliers’: 148 activities for 48 857 participants

Activities:

- Database of people and organizations active in the preservation and dissemination of Jewish heritage;

- 35 study tours for local activists (1 027 participants), 19 training courses for volunteers (392 participants), 4 seminars on museum development (124 participants) and 10 long-term courses on interculturalism for specialists (167 participants);

- 50 multimedia materials promoting the activities of local entities active in the field of preserving Jewish heritage (42 860 recipients);

- an international congress with the participation of all Project Partners (1 863 participants) and an online publication summarising the congress;

Bilateral activities:

 - 13 international seminars and trainings on museum education held in cooperation with the Jewish Museum in Oslo and the Jewish Museum in Trondheim (399 participants);

- in cooperation with the Falstad Centre: 6 Polish-Norwegian seminars (1 896 participants), 6 international interdisciplinary seminars (129 participants) and an online publication.

12. Researching, digitizing and sharing collections of the Jewish Historical Institute: 3 771 digitized objects; 309 educational activities using the developed and shared collections, cultural and popularization events, exhibitions and publications attended by 9 055 recipients.

13. Research studies of the most important target groups in order to provide insight into what activities should be undertaken and how to best respond to the audience needs. Research and evaluation data was used to improve the organization, increase the quality of the programs, explore new ideas, and communicate better with the audience.

Bilateral activities: Evaluation of the "Sources and individuals" program for schools; international seminar "Tools for young people" in cooperation with HL-senteret.

Partners responsible for the project believe in the crucial role that effective outreach and educational programs play in fostering societal resilience and eliminating antisemitism by addressing the root causes of prejudice and changing mental perceptions. They are essential to promote empathy, solidarity and respect for differences and diversity.

As POLIN and its partners take up and presents complex issues – fraught with much stereotypical or prejudiced thinking both in Poland and elsewhere around the world – they  implemented the project relying on expert knowledge and advice of distinguished scholars and public authority figures. The goal was to reach out especially to the younger generation: teenagers, students, as well as teachers and educators. It is their voices that can make the difference and impact the future.

To assess the effects and quality of activities carried out within the “Jewish Cultural Heritage” project, multiple audience research studies have been conducted throughout its duration. The main aim was to determine the impact that participation in these programs had on different groups of recipients. Below are examples of selected outcomes in some of the main target groups:

Teachers

Programs addressed to teachers (courses, conferences) were regularly evaluated (POLIN Research Unit, 2020-2022). These evaluations showed very high satisfaction rates: on average, 97% of teachers claimed that participation in the POLIN program met their expectations, and 93% declared that they had expanded their knowledge about the history and culture of Polish Jews.

In turn, the study of the impact of POLIN programs conducted among teachers (Wiserabbit, 2022) highlighted the specific effects of POLIN projects in this group of recipients. Teachers and educators declared that participation in the POLIN Museum educational programs have exerted a significant impact on their knowledge and skills development, daily schoolwork experience, and even on their personal lives. They acquired the skills to recognize and respond to discrimination, developed socio-emotional competencies (such as cooperation, communication, self-confidence, leadership, and the ability to discuss difficult topics) and strengthened relationships established locally among teachers (networking). The impact of participation in the programs run by POLIN Museum is transmitted further— it encourages teachers to undertake independent initiatives aimed at developing both tolerance towards cultural diversity as well as anti-racist and anti-discrimination attitudes among students.

SchoolchildrenAccording to the evaluations studies carried out by the POLIN Research Unit 98% of teachers admitted that they were satisfied with the workshops in which their students took part; they found that educators are skilled at engaging the pupils while providing knowledge. A study on the impact of the “Museum in a Box” project (school workshops based on a game) (PBS, 2022) showed that POLIN’s game-based workshops were almost universally liked by the pupils. The classes were so engaging that most children participating in the activities learned at least seven new words related to Jewish culture, such as Shabbat, “kippah”, Hebrew language, “yad”, Jews, Torah, synagogue. A majority expressed a desire to play a similar game again. Many children declared that they discussed the content learned during the lessons with their relatives. Additionally, according to the teachers surveyed by POLIN Museum, the project fills an educational gap – it addresses topics that are missing from the school curriculum.

Families with children – including Ukrainian-speaking families

Participants in the activities addressed to families with children expressed great enthusiasm for the way in which these activities were run, and for their content. POLIN Museum also introduced an offer for Ukrainian-speaking families, thanks in part to the fact that it employed Ukrainian-speaking specialists and produced educational aids in Ukrainian.

Local communities

According to the study related to the POLIN project of marking local Jewish cemeteries (WiseRabbit, 2023) this activity has made residents aware or reminded them of the multicultural history of their towns, its past inhabitants, and sometimes the stories of their own ancestors. The POLIN cemetery marking project also served to strengthen the network of local activists and encouraged the development of local initiatives focused on Jewish themes. Nowadays, it happens that school trips visit the marked cemeteries. Sometimes, residents contact local activists because they have found “matzevot” (Jewish tombstones) on their property and want to bring them back to the cemetery.

Another project dedicated to smaller communities, the “Museum on Wheels”  made a very clear impact, both short- and long-term (WiseRabbit, 2023). Some effects were immediately visible while others unfolded over time. The most important short-term effect was recipients’ engagement in the subject of local Jewish history – a significant step towards familiarizing oneself with the unknown. Activating the local community and strengthening local activists was also crucial. The project sparked off many residents’ curiosity about their local Jewish history. The most important long-term effects: in some places, plans related to post-Jewish heritage sites emerged funds were secured in local administration budgets for the revitalization of local Jewish cemeteries or the rescue of synagogues. After the “Museum on Wheels’” visit, further initiatives to restore local memory of the Jewish community appeared. Residents began to share their stories, find memorabilia and documents. Changes in the attitude of the municipal and regional authorities were also noted: local governments have grown increasingly in favour of initiatives related to Jewish culture.

Daffodils campaign

An evaluation study of the Daffodils campaign among volunteers, teachers and librarians participating in the campaign was carried out every year. In a survey conducted in 2023, 99% of volunteers who responded rated the campaign as definitely and rather good and a further 95% observed that the reception of the campaign among the public was positive. They also recall that it was a great experience for them when passers-by came up to ask for a daffodil and thanked them for the work the volunteers did on April 19. 90% of volunteers, 99% of teachers and 98% of librarians declared involvement in the next campaign.Jewish Cultural Heritage | Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich POLIN w Warszawie

Summary of bilateral results

Partners responsible for the project believe in the crucial role that effective outreach and educational programs play in fostering societal resilience and eliminating antisemitism by addressing the root causes of prejudice and changing mental perceptions. They are essential to promote empathy, solidarity and respect for differences and diversity. As POLIN and its partners take up and presents complex issues – fraught with much stereotypical or prejudiced thinking both in Poland and elsewhere around the world – they implemented the project relying on expert knowledge and advice of distinguished scholars and public authority figures. The goal was to reach out especially to the younger generation: teenagers, students, as well as teachers and educators. It is their voices that can make the difference and impact the future.To assess the effects and quality of activities carried out within the “Jewish Cultural Heritage” project, multiple audience research studies have been conducted throughout its duration. The main aim was to determine the impact that participation in these programs had on different groups of recipients. Below are examples of selected outcomes in some of the main target groups:Teachers Programs addressed to teachers (courses, conferences) were regularly evaluated (POLIN Research Unit, 2020-2022). These evaluations showed very high satisfaction rates: on average, 97% of teachers claimed that participation in the POLIN program met their expectations, and 93% declared that they had expanded their knowledge about the history and culture of Polish Jews. In turn, the study of the impact of POLIN programs conducted among teachers (Wiserabbit, 2022) highlighted the specific effects of POLIN projects in this group of recipients. Teachers and educators declared that participation in the POLIN Museum educational programs have exerted a significant impact on their knowledge and skills development, daily schoolwork experience, and even on their personal lives. They acquired the skills to recognize and respond to discrimination, developed socio-emotional competencies (such as cooperation, communication, self-confidence, leadership, and the ability to discuss difficult topics) and strengthened relationships established locally among teachers (networking). The impact of participation in the programs run by POLIN Museum is transmitted further— it encourages teachers to undertake independent initiatives aimed at developing both tolerance towards cultural diversity as well as anti-racist and anti-discrimination attitudes among students.SchoolchildrenAccording to the evaluations studies carried out by the POLIN Research Unit 98% of teachers admitted that they were satisfied with the workshops in which their students took part; they found that educators are skilled at engaging the pupils while providing knowledge. A study on the impact of the “Museum in a Box” project (school workshops based on a game) (PBS, 2022) showed that POLIN’s game-based workshops were almost universally liked by the pupils. The classes were so engaging that most children participating in the activities learned at least seven new words related to Jewish culture, such as Shabbat, “kippah”, Hebrew language, “yad”, Jews, Torah, synagogue. A majority expressed a desire to play a similar game again. Many children declared that they discussed the content learned during the lessons with their relatives. Additionally, according to the teachers surveyed by POLIN Museum, the project fills an educational gap – it addresses topics that are missing from the school curriculum.Families with children – including Ukrainian-speaking families Participants in the activities addressed to families with children expressed great enthusiasm for the way in which these activities were run, and for their content. POLIN Museum also introduced an offer for Ukrainian-speaking families, thanks in part to the fact that it employed Ukrainian-speaking specialists and produced educational aids in Ukrainian.Local communities According to the study related to the POLIN project of marking local Jewish cemeteries (WiseRabbit, 2023) this activity has made residents aware or reminded them of the multicultural history of their towns, its past inhabitants, and sometimes the stories of their own ancestors. The POLIN cemetery marking project also served to strengthen the network of local activists and encouraged the development of local initiatives focused on Jewish themes. Nowadays, it happens that school trips visit the marked cemeteries. Sometimes, residents contact local activists because they have found “matzevot” (Jewish tombstones) on their property and want to bring them back to the cemetery.Another project dedicated to smaller communities, the “Museum on Wheels” made a very clear impact, both short- and long-term (WiseRabbit, 2023). Some effects were immediately visible while others unfolded over time. The most important short-term effect was recipients’ engagement in the subject of local Jewish history – a significant step towards familiarizing oneself with the unknown. Activating the local community and strengthening local activists was also crucial. The project sparked off many residents’ curiosity about their local Jewish history. The most important long-term effects: in some places, plans related to post-Jewish heritage sites emerged funds were secured in local administration budgets for the revitalization of local Jewish cemeteries or the rescue of synagogues. After the “Museum on Wheels’” visit, further initiatives to restore local memory of the Jewish community appeared. Residents began to share their stories, find memorabilia and documents. Changes in the attitude of the municipal and regional authorities were also noted: local governments have grown increasingly in favour of initiatives related to Jewish culture.Daffodils campaignAn evaluation study of the Daffodils campaign among volunteers, teachers and librarians participating in the campaign was carried out every year. In a survey conducted in 2023, 99% of volunteers who responded rated the campaign as definitely and rather good and a further 95% observed that the reception of the campaign among the public was positive. They also recall that it was a great experience for them when passers-by came up to ask for a daffodil and thanked them for the work the volunteers did on April 19. 90% of volunteers, 99% of teachers and 98% of librarians declared involvement in the next campaign.