On 10th December 2024, the Australian Society of Polish Jews & their Descendants (ASPJ), in conjunction with FestivALT, presented a compelling webinar about KulturDocs – a new online documentary series, produced by FestivALT, which explores the vibrant world of contemporary Jewish artists in Poland.

Canadian-Jewish born and now Krakow- based theatre creator, actor and FestivALT co-founder Michael Rubenfeld provided an outline of his personal history, from comfortably growing up and being raised Jewish Canadian, to what inspired him to move to Poland to further explore his Jewish identity.

Trailers, with accompanying explanations and commentary, were then shown of the three KulturDocs films, showcasing musician Mikołaj Trzaska, performer Betty Q and artists Marcella Szabłowska and Ezra Wojakowski.

A discussion was then held, primarily focusing on the impact on the Polish Jewish artist environment post 7th October, as well as about the overall Polish Jewish artist experience.

If you missed the event, watch the video recording here:

On Tuesday, 19th November 2024,at the Glen Eira Town Hall Theatrette ,the ASPJ was honoured to present an evening with Dr. Michał Trębacz, Acting Director of the Żydowski Instytut Historyczny (ŻIH) – the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw.

Dr. Trebacz provided an overview of the Institute, beginning with the history of its building and how the institute was forged, during the destruction of Polish Jewry, as a vision for the victims to record their own history and their wartime experiences.

He then gave an outline of some of the Institute’s exhibitions, events, collections and its library. Particular focus was placed on the Ringleblum Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto and the post-War survivor Registration Cards.

Following the presentation, a Question & Answer session was held.

Also present at the event, from Warsaw, was Michał Majewski of the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute. This was Michał’s third visit to Melbourne, having been brought to Melbourne by us for our 2019 and 2023 ASPJ Genealogy Days.

If you missed the event, watch the video recording here:

On Sunday 10th November 2024, at the Kadimah Theatre in Melbourne, the ASPJ hosted a concert of works by twentieth century Jewish-Polish composers. The performance featured artists Karolina Mikołajczyk and Iwo Jedenecki.

Th duo is considered one of the most vibrant and innovative chamber ensembles, being the winner of Grand Prix and First Prizes at international music competitions and having performed at Carnegie Hall, the Guangzhou Opera House and the Warsaw Philharmonic. Karolina played a 1776 Duke violin and Iwo a Pigni Sirius Millenium accordion.

For the ASPJ, Karolina and Iwo performed compositions from somewhat neglected Jewish-Polish  composers of the early 20th century, including: Gregorz Fitelberg’s Berceuse, Roman Ryterband’s Trois Ballades Hebraiques, Aleksander Tansman’s Cinq Pieces, Ignacy Friedman’s Romans and Szymon Laks’s Suite Polonaise.

The audience included the Polish Embassy Charge D’affairs, Mr. Marcin Kowałowski, from  Canberra, the Polish Consul General, Mr. Piotr Rakowski, from Sydney and Ms. Beata Koropatwa from the office of Honorary Polish Consul in Victoria.

The concert, sponsored by the Polish Embassy in Canberra, attracted an appreciative audience for an event, the type of which was a first for our organisation. Acting Ambassador Mr Marcin Kawalowski advised how the Polish Embassy was proud to support such initiatives that celebrate Polish-Jewish culture in co-operation with the ASPJ.

ASPJ President  Ezra May noted how the concert fits the ASPJ’s Statement of Purpose: To preserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of Jewish life in Poland. He also remarked that, on the 86^th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, this was one appropriate way to remember – by listening to the music of these Polish-Jewish composers whose lives, like so many millions of others, were destroyed by the Nazis.

HAYNT is the magazine of the Australian Society of Polish Jews and Their Descendants.

It is published three times annually and features articles on the ASPJ’s events and other activities, as well as articles on Polish-Jewish issues in Australia and Poland.

Click HERE to read this current issue!

HAYNT is the magazine of the Australian Society of Polish Jews and Their Descendants.

It is published three times annually and features articles on the ASPJ’s events and other activities, as well as articles on Polish-Jewish issues in Australia and Poland.

Click HERE to read this current issue!

On Thursday, 2nd November 2023, in conjunction with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Australia, the Australian Society of Polish Jews & Their Descendants (ASPJ) was extremely pleased to host the screening of “Polmission – Passports’s Secrets” at the newly-renovated Melbourne Holocaust Museum.

The event took place in the presence of the new Polish Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Maciej Chmieliski, the Victorian Deputy Leader of the Opposition and MLA for Caulfield, Mr David Southwick, Consuls-General and Consuls representing thirteen countries, the Presidents of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the Polish Community Council of Victoria, as well as other dignitaries and guests.

In welcoming those in attendance, particularly the Polish Ambassador, whom the ASPJ was honoured to host on his first and only engagement on his first trip to Melbourne, ASPJ President Ezra May stated that the underlying central message of the film was for people not to remain silent and to take action to assist others in need. He said that, unfortunately, this was no longer just an interesting or inspiring historical story, but was now more relevant than ever, considering the current threats faced by Israel and Jewish communities worldwide – including in Melbourne.

Ambassador Chmieliński then provided an overview of the the long intertwined history of Jews in Poland and highlighted some of the efforts undertaken by some Polish diplomats in order to save Jews during, the Holocaust.

On behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, the Ambassador then presented Mrs Rachel Kelman with the Cross of Siberian Exiles in recognition of the World War II experiences of her parents. Mrs Kelman responded by recounting a brief overview of her parents’ experience, as Polish Jews, of having been exiled to Siberia by the Russians,  before her father was conscripted into the Russian Army and was then killed in action during the liberation of Poland.

Following the screening of the film, the evening concluded with remarks from David Southwick MP, who emphasised the need to for other communities to stand up when Israel and the Victorian Jewish community was under threat.

To view the video of the event, click on the link below.

HAYNT is the magazine of the Australian Society of Polish Jews and Their Descendants.

It is published three times annually and features articles on the ASPJ’s events and other activities, as well as articles on Polish-Jewish issues in Australia and Poland.

Click HERE to read this current issue!

HAYNT is the magazine of the Australian Society of Polish Jews and Their Descendants.

It is published three times annually and features articles on the ASPJ’s events and other activities, as well as articles on Polish-Jewish issues in Australia and Poland.

Click HERE to read this current issue!

Four years after the ASPJ’s first such event in Melbourne, this time, in 2023, our ASPJ Genealogy Open Days were held in both Sydney (28th March at the Sydney Jewish Museum) and Melbourne (1st April at the new Melbourne Holocaust Museum). Again, this year, our special guest was, Polish genealogist and historian, Michał Majewski.

Having worked for the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute in Poland and with the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, at both events, Michał provided the audiences with valuable information about resources available to further their own family’s genealogical history.

Assistant State Manager of the National Archives of Australia in Victoria, Patrick Ferry, also gave a special presentation about the “Sponsoring the Survivors” Project.

Following Michał’s lecture and answering general questions, audience members were invited to bring their own, personal questions to representatives of several specialist organisations. The ASPJ sincerely thanks representatives of the other organisations who supported these events both in Sydney and in Melbourne.