THE ISRAELI ORGANIZATION OF ZAMOŚĆ JEWRY: NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2004

THE ISRAELI ORGANIZATION OF ZAMOŚĆ JEWRY, vicinity & THEIR DESCENDANTS

10 Be’eri St., Tel-Aviv 64682, Israel, Tel/Fax: 972-3-5235015

October 2004

NEWSLETTER

Plaque Unveiling on Zamość Old Synagogue Walls

Cooperation with Washington Holocaust Museum

Dear Friends, Natives of Zamość and its Environs, and Continuing Generations,

It was a 7-year battle against terrific odds. The final month swung nerve-wrackingly between hope and despair over finalizing the agreement of the Polish authorities to have plaques affixed to the Old Synagogue in Zamość, as well as the plaque inscriptions and placement.

On 21.7.04, three memorial plaques in Hebrew, English and Polish were unveiled at an impressive ceremony at Zamość's lovely Sephardic Old Synagogue (circa 1600).

The moving event was covered by the Polish television and press and attended by: government representatives; Ms. Monika Krawczyk, director-general of Jewish Heritage Preservation; Mayor Marcin Zamojsky and other mayors from the vicinity; Israel Ambassador His Excellency Mr. David Peled; and about 100 descendants of Jewish families from the Zamość area for whom the formalities capped a roots trip to Poland organized by the organization.

"Third-generationers" Liron and Hila placed a bouquet of blue-and-white flowers at the site on behalf of the organization. Other bouquets included one from the Israeli Government, placed by the Ambassador, and another from the city Mayor.

After the unveiling, Mayor Zamojsky hosted attendees in the Old City of Zamość. The Mayor is a descendant of Jan Zamojsky who in 1588 invited Sephardic Jews to settle in Zamość.

Greetings were delivered by the Mayor, the Ambassador, Mr. Yoram Golan and myself. This was followed by a reception for the participants and it was the first time that the notes of "HaTikva" resonated in Zamość's City Hall.

The roots trip was joined by a film director and photographer. The aim is to produce a film that will be screened at the next memorial on the eve of Holocaust Day and also be used for fundraising to restore the shamefully neglected Old Synagogue and convert it into a museum on the Jews of Zamość and the vicinity.

The entire endeavor was quite costly, with the result that our coffers are now empty: organizational expenses, plaques, director and photographer travel expenses, the film's production, etc. All this on top of earlier expenditures on the memorial and exhibition. As our only income comes from membership dues, we are appealing to your generosity.

We would greatly appreciate it if everyone could donate as much as possible to share in this valuable, special commemorative project

Thank You!

------------------------------------------------ Appeal----------------------------------------------------

Please fill out the form in clear block letters, make out the cheque to the Zamość Organizing Committee,

and send both by registered mail to:

THE ISRAELI ORGANIZATION OF ZAMOŚĆ JEWRY,

vicinity & THEIR DESCENDANTS

10 Beeri Street, Tel-Aviv 64682, ISRAEL

Enclosed: cheque in the amount of: NIS ____________ Cheque number: ________________________

Bank: ____________________________

First name:_____________________________ Surname: _____________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________Zip code: ___________________

Telephone number: ____________________________ Mobile number___________________________

Email:________________________________________________________________________________

In memory of: _________________________________________________________________________

Or you may deposit your donation directly into the Organization's

bank account: 011671/02, Bank Leumi,

Branch 624 (Emek Bracha).

We would still ask you to fill out the above form and notify us of the donation so that we may send you a receipt.

Cooperation with the Holocaust Museum in Washington

On 16.7.04, Mr. Scott Miller, the director of survivor registration at Washington's Holocaust Museum came to meet with me in Tel Aviv. The meeting resulted in a decision of mutual cooperation.

As a first step, please find attached a page to record your family's survivors. Kindly fill it out and send it to the Museum.

To download the record form the website: http://www.ushmm.org/remembrance/registry/

In the Congress Hall, from right to left: Zamość Mayor Marcin Zamojsky; Advisor to the organization,