Cultural Entrepreneurship, Cultural Heritage and Cultural Cooperation Completed

Jewish Cultural Heritage

Museum of the History of Polish Jews ·Poland

€10m

Grant awarded

Culture

Programme

27 April 2020

Signed

About this project

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

Bilateral cooperation 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. Schoolchildren According 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.

Project partners

European Wergeland Centre Donor project partner· Norway
The Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies Donor project partner· Norway
Jewish Museum Oslo Donor project partner· Norway
Jewish Museum Trondheim Donor project partner· Norway
Falstad Centre Donor project partner· Norway
Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw Project partner· Poland

Poland country profile Other projects in this programme Project website