The conference, organized by the Polish Institute and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tel Aviv, concluded with great success, bringing together more than 250 participants, including representatives of organizations of Polish Jews and their descendants in Israel, cultural institutions, local governments, academic communities, social activists, artists, and all those interested in the shared Polish-Jewish heritage.

The conference was officially opened by Maciej Hunia, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Israel, and Magdalena Kukuła, Director of the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv. In their remarks, they emphasized the importance of cooperation between communities and highlighted the role of historical memory as a foundation for building future relations.

The conference programme featured numerous debates and panel discussions devoted to historical memory, the activities of organizations bringing together Polish Jews in Israel, the preservation of Jewish heritage, municipal cooperation, and contemporary educational and cultural initiatives. Participants had the opportunity to hear from representatives of social organizations, cultural institutions, museums, academic circles, and local authorities from both countries. An important topic was cooperation between Polish and Israeli municipalities and the development of city partnerships, which for years have served as lasting bridges between the societies of both countries.

A special highlight of the programme was the session “Heritage in Action: Preserving and Restoring Jewish Memory in Contemporary Poland”, which presented the work of Warsaw’s leading institutions dedicated to documenting, researching, and promoting the history of Polish Jews. Participants heard presentations from representatives of the management of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute, and the Warsaw Ghetto Museum. Guests from Poland presented educational, research, and exhibition projects, as well as contemporary initiatives aimed at preserving Jewish heritage and commemorating the centuries-long presence of Jews in Poland.

The session also featured the presentation of the Alex Dancyg Guide educational application, which showcases the legacy of the distinguished historian and educator Alex Dancyg, promoting knowledge of the shared Polish-Jewish past and encouraging intercultural dialogue. Moderated by Radosław Wójcik, Deputy Director of the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv, the session attracted significant public interest and became an important contribution to discussions on contemporary approaches to preserving memory and heritage.

An integral part of Polish Communities Days was its cultural programme. The first day concluded with the concert “Emerging from the Shadows”, performed by Aleksandra Demowska-Madejska and Wojciech Pyrcio, featuring works by Polish-Jewish composers. On the second day, as part of the celebrations of the Andrzej Wajda Year, participants attended a screening of the documentary film “Dybuk” directed by Ami Tadeusz Drozd. The film tells the story of Poland’s most renowned film director working on Szymon An-sky’s play at the Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv in 1988.

The conference created a valuable space for exchanging experiences, establishing new contacts, and discussing the future of Polish-Israeli cooperation. The strong attendance, high substantive quality of the debates, and active engagement of participants confirmed the need for similar initiatives that strengthen mutual relations and help preserve the rich heritage connecting Poland and Israel.

The exceptional significance of the conference is best reflected in the numerous messages of appreciation and thanks received by the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv following the event. Many participants emphasized that Polish Communities Days was the first initiative of its kind in Israel to bring together, on such a broad scale, representatives of Polish communities, hometown associations, institutions, and organizations engaged in preserving Polish-Jewish heritage.

In conversations and feedback, participants repeatedly called for the continuation of the project and the establishment of the conference as an annual event. There was broad agreement that the gathering created a much-needed platform for meetings, the exchange of experiences, the development of new partnerships, and the strengthening of ties among people united by their connection to Poland and their commitment to preserving a shared heritage for future generations.

We encourage everyone to explore the full conference programme on the website of the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv.