Exhibit: The World Knew

The Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center will open a new exhibit Jan. 31 of the Jan Karski exhibit entitled, “The World Knew: Jan Karski’s Mission for Humanity.”  It will open at 6:30 pm so as to not conflict with the Limmud, which concludes at 5 pm that Sunday.  Michael Berenbaum will speak at 7 pm following the opening reception, at which guests may socialize with beverages and appetizers.  You are invited to attend.  There is no charge for the opening reception.

Our Jan 31-March 31 exhibit details the life and actions of a Polish resistance member and courier during World War II who gained first-hand information about Nazi atrocities against Jews and brought that information to the West.  In particular, Karski was smuggled into the Warsaw Ghetto as well as a transit/labor camp to witness what was taking place and was then smuggled to London, where he met with British FM Anthony Eden and also later FDR in Washington.   It is a tragic story of a man who was witness to the Holocaust and who was largely disregarded by the world.   The exhibit also celebrates other Polish righteous gentiles who saved Jews during WWII.  It is being co-sponsored by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and the AZ Jewish Historical Society.

The opening reception on Jan. 31 at 6:30 pm will feature Michael Berenbaum, former director of the USHMM, who will speak about Jan Karski.   He was Karski’s friend, wrote the preface of Karski’s books and delivered the Kaddish at Karski’s funeral.  On Tues. Feb. 9 at 7 pm we will hold the Arizona premiere screening of a documentary film, “Jan Karski and the Lords of Humanity.”  On February 11 at 7pm, in cooperation with Or Adam Congregation, we are co-sponsoring an author presentation: Two Among the Rightous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust by Marty Brounstein.   On February 18 at 7 pm we will hold a book discussion of Jan Karski’s Story of a Secret State, originally published in 1944.   The discussion is being led by the AZJHS president Mark Sendrow, who is a former student of Karski’s at Georgetown Univ.   We have also organized a live concert of music by Chopin on March 15 performed by the Rice Brothers in an effort to help foster better relations between Poles and Jews.

The exhibit will run January 31 through March 31.  Admission is $5 (AZJHS members, students, survivors, and active duty military free).   Special arrangements for groups.

Arizona Jewish Historical Society

CUTLER PLOTKIN Jewish Heritage Center

122 E. Culver St. | Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-241-7870

http://www.azjhs.org