Dear Irv and Mindy,
Last month we finished the School of Dialogue spring semester with around 500 students participating in our program in more than twenty-one schools across Poland.
The efforts and involvement of young boys and girls from junior high and high schools have truly impressed us. Completing the program becomes an important stage in their education and many students, inspired by our educators, go beyond the workshops and try to make a difference at their local communities. Students in Sosnowiec, for example, managed to install a commemorative plaque at Środula, the execution site of Jews of Sosnowiec. The dedication gathered not only their fellow students and teachers but also local authorities. They also organized a walking tour around Jewish sties, prepared an exhibition about Jewish culture at school, made a video and interviewed elderly residents. Just a month ago, these students met with a Survivor of the Sosnowiec ghetto, Joshua Pila, who came to Poland with a group from the Jewish Museum of Australia. Together they walked the streets of Sosnowiec sharing stories and memories.
There is something very important that happens during the School of Dialogue program. Students who participate in it experience a true change. They become more open and receptive to others, more aware of the Jewish culture and history and more sensitive to the Polish/Jewish dialogue. We see many of them becoming involved, as they want to become a part of something bigger.
Maybe cleaning the cemetery or painting the gate is not much but I think that you have to start somewhere – said Gabriela Masłowska from Grodzisk Mazowiecki, whom we talked to during the 2015 School of Dialogue Gala. I am very proud to have participated in this project. Her words demonstrate how important School of Dialogue is for the Polish youth. You can hear some more students’ impressions of the program in this new video from the Gala.
The School of Dialogue fall semester begins in September and we are now recruiting more schools that want to be part of this important project.
I wish you all a lovely summer.
Best,
Andr
Andrzej Folwarczny
President
Forum for Dialogue
6 Krakowskie Przedmiescie St.
00-325 Warszawa, Poland
Tel/Fax: +48 22 827 22 07
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