Build on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (MPJ) tells an unusual story of the fate of once the biggest Jewish community in the world.
It aims to preserve the history of 1000 years of cultural heritage and tradition. The history of Jews in Poland goes well beyond the greatest tragedy of the world - the Shoah.
The dream to build a place marking an undeniable presence of Jewish community in Polish history was initiated in 1995 by the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland. It took 12 years to lay a cornerstone for what has later become a modern building constructed out of glass designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamaki.
Six years later, thanks to institutional and individual donors from all over the world and support from the Polish government together with the municipality of Warsaw, the doors of the Museum of Polish Jews, which works as a cultural and educational center, could be opened to the public last April.
The historic opening ceremony took place in the framework of the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
Only six months after, the living Museum, that is expected to receive at least 500 000 visitors per year offers a programme full of lectures, debates, concerts, trips and interactive workshops that allow the visitor to have a closer look at Jewish culture.
The MPJ keeps its visitors busy with many temporary exhibitions. This month a new arrival titled 'Biographies of Objects - Gifts from the Collectors of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews' presents objects of daily use, religious artefacts that have witnessed extraordinary stories of their Jewish owners.
At the same time, the Museum is preparing the permanent exhibition which will take visitors for a journey through the thousand-year history of Polish Jews, from the Medieval times until today - telling a story of Jews in Poland who arrived to settle after the Spanish Expulsion and presenting the further destiny of the community that almost vanished during WWII and its current revival. The permanent exhibition is scheduled for opening in April 2014.
The fact that the MPJ received support of government and municipality of Warsaw is considered by the local Jewish community as final acknowledgment of presence of Jews in the Polish history, which was not so obvious before 1989 under the Communist regime. The museum also underlines the Jews of Poland’s tremendous influence on science and culture.
"The Museum of Polish Jews is a new landmark of Warsaw and it says we are being noticed," - says Malwina Tuchendler, a young Jewish activist and anthropologist.
"The fact that this place was created, shows the continuity of our community, that we are still here," - she adds.
"This is not a museum dedicated to one person, it's a place which aims to preserve and present the heritage of many million people who live and lived here for many hundred years, it couldn't be build other way around," underlines Przemek Dudek another Jewish leader and a PhD student who during the interview with EJP raises another important matter and refers to the activities run by the MPJ.
"We are facing many problems as a community, including anti-Semitism, this place showing not only a history but also having its educational mission is helping to promote tolerance towards us and in my opinion will help to keep away Jewish culture enthusiasts from our daily live," he stresses. " Without any unnecessary tensions and more from anthropological point a view," making reference to the current Jewish culture fashion which brings many non-Jews to participate even at the religious rituals.
"The Museum of Polish Jews reminds its visitors that Poland, a place where Nazis build concentration camps, was a welcoming land for many hundreds years before. There is this whole narrative in Western Europe and the U.S. that focuses only on Holocaust, which is very important, but the community in Poland is growing back and we have something to refer to, we have our legacy, says Dudek who has been to the MPJ a few times already.
The museum is the new living heart and memory of Jews in Poland and well worth a visit - for all, Jew or Gentile, Pole or non-Pole, young and old. Its architecture, exhibitions and history are striking and a great asset to the city and country.
For more information : http://www.jewishmuseum.org.pl/en